Red Bull - 6/10
When F1i reviewed the teams during the mid-season break, Red Bull scored just 5/10 and could have been marked even lower but for a double podium in Hungary. The Renault power unit was the biggest reason for the team’s poor performance but far from the only one as it struggled to get the most out of its chassis.
To give Red Bull credit, its on-track performances improved markedly as the year went on, with the technical team able to improve the RB11 to the extent Daniel Ricciardo felt the chassis itself was on a par with Mercedes. Power unit issues continued to hold the team back, however, and its off-track conduct in criticising Renault and demanding engines from Mercedes or Ferrari was a million miles away from the quality of car it had managed to build.
Showed on circuits such as Hungary and Singapore that it is still a major force to be reckoned with, and the wet conditions at the start in Austin allowed both Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat to shine and fight the two Mercedes. Definitely needs a better engine, probably needs a better attitude, too.
