Red Bull's Winning Machines: A Retrospective of Verstappen's Favorite Formula 1 Cars

Max Verstappen, the reigning Formula 1 world champion, has shared his thoughts on his favorite Red Bull cars, highlighting the RB12, RB16B, and RB19 as the standouts from the team's illustrious history. Joined by his teammates and key figures from the Red Bull organization, Verstappen and the team celebrated the team's 20th anniversary at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, reflecting on the cars that have propelled them to success over the years.

Unveiling the Gems of Red Bull's Storied F1 Legacy

The RB12: A Victorious Debut

Max Verstappen's first pick, the RB12, holds a special place in his heart. This car not only provided him with his first Formula 1 victory, but it also showcased the team's potential. Despite its slight disadvantage on the straights, the RB12 proved to be a fantastic machine to drive, setting the stage for Verstappen's rise to the top.The RB12's triumph at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix marked a significant milestone for Verstappen, as he made his debut for the Red Bull senior team and secured a victory on his very first outing. This car's performance and Verstappen's driving prowess laid the foundation for the Dutchman's future success with the team.

The RB16B: The Breakthrough Championship

Verstappen's second favorite, the RB16B, holds an even more emotional significance. This car carried him to his first Formula 1 world championship title in 2021, a moment that will forever be etched in the team's history. The RB16B's combination of speed, handling, and reliability allowed Verstappen to clinch ten victories that year, with teammate Sergio Perez adding one more win to the tally.The RB16B's triumph in the 2021 season marked a pivotal point for Red Bull, as they reclaimed the world championship after a prolonged drought. Verstappen's mastery of this car and his ability to outperform his rivals cemented his status as a true champion, setting the stage for his continued dominance in the sport.

The RB19: The Unstoppable Juggernaut

Verstappen's third and most recent favorite, the RB19, has been nothing short of a revelation. This car has proven to be the most formidable winning machine in the modern era of Formula 1, with Verstappen claiming an astonishing 19 Grand Prix victories in the 2023 season. Teammate Sergio Perez also contributed two additional wins, resulting in a staggering 21 out of 22 race victories for the team.The RB19's sheer dominance has rewritten the record books, showcasing the team's engineering prowess and Verstappen's unparalleled driving skills. This car has not only solidified Verstappen's position as the reigning champion but has also cemented Red Bull's status as the undisputed powerhouse in the sport.Sergio Perez, Verstappen's teammate, echoed the sentiment, stating that the RB19 is the car he would choose due to its historic performance and the team's remarkable achievements in the 2023 season. The RB19's legacy will undoubtedly continue to shape the future of Formula 1 as Red Bull's winning machine.

The Architects of Red Bull's Success

Alongside Verstappen's choices, the team's key figures, including Sergio Perez, Daniel Ricciardo, David Coulthard, Christian Horner, and Adrian Newey, shared their perspectives on the most memorable Red Bull cars.Perez, who joined the team in 2021, also selected the RB19 as his favorite, acknowledging the car's historic significance and the team's record-breaking achievements. Ricciardo, a former Red Bull driver, reminisced about the RB10 from 2014, the car that delivered his first Formula 1 victory.David Coulthard, who played a crucial role in convincing Newey to join the Red Bull project, highlighted the RB19 as the most successful car in the team's history. Christian Horner, the team principal, struggled to choose a single favorite, but ultimately settled on the RB16B, citing the emotional journey of the 2021 championship battle.Adrian Newey, the renowned chief technical officer, found it challenging to single out a favorite, but acknowledged the RB5 as the car that set the team on the path to their subsequent successes. Webber, another former Red Bull driver, praised the RB6 as the "bigger brother" that laid the foundations for the team's future triumphs.The absence of Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull's first Formula 1 world champion, was noted, as he was unable to attend the Goodwood Festival of Speed due to family commitments.Over the past two decades, Red Bull Racing has established itself as a dominant force in Formula 1, competing in 381 Grand Prix races, winning 120 of them, and celebrating 277 podium finishes. The team's success has been marked by the achievements of drivers like Vettel, who won four consecutive world titles from 2010 to 2013, and Verstappen, who has won three titles in a row since 2021 and is poised to continue his reign in the coming years.As Red Bull celebrates its 20th anniversary in the sport, the team's legacy continues to grow, with the RB19 standing as the latest chapter in their remarkable story. The cars that have captured the hearts and imaginations of fans around the world are a testament to the team's unwavering commitment to excellence and their pursuit of motorsport dominance.