F1 News: VCARB CEO Hits Back At Critics Calling Out Red Bull Association

Peter Bayer has called out the opposition, emphasizing that everything related to the VCARB- Red Bull association is being done as per the rulebook.

Red Bull's junior team Visa Cash App RB (VCARB), formerly known as AlphaTauri, has been called out by critics over their increasing association with each other. However, the CEO of VCARB, Peter Bayer, clarified that all exchanges between the two teams are being done as per the FIA rulebook. 

VCARB accelerated its performance starting from the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix by using the rear suspension from Red Bull's RB19, leading to enhanced rear stability and optimized utilization of its floor developments. Simultaneously undergoing organizational restructuring around the same period last year, both teams opted for closer collaboration than ever before.

Red Bull Press Image

This year, VCARB is poised to run its 2024 car with Red Bull's front suspension, which could also attract further performance gains. However, critics have raised their fingers at the increasing closeness between the related teams, raising alarms that the liberty to exchange information and parts might be misused. 

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has frequently criticized the close relationship between Red Bull Racing and VCARB. However, Bayer notes that rival teams are questioning this association because his team is now upping its pace in the midfield. He told RacingNews365.com:

“One of the first things you learn in Formula 1 is that the easiest way to become unpopular is to be successful.

“As long as you’re last, people will not even realise you're there. As soon as you start knocking on the door, they will throw everything at you that they can.

“I’m coming from the FIA [where he held the role of Executive Director Formula 1] and I know how much scrutiny there is on all of the teams.

“Certainly, there is even more scrutiny when it comes to the teams working closer together. The rules are very clear.

“You might have seen the statement of the FIA, when they looked at our car, [they said] ‘this is a different concept’. There is nothing that concerns us.”

Red Bull Press Image

"Formula 1 is a Battle of Resources"

Backing the idea of two teams working together, Bayer insisted that it was important for his team to work with Red Bull to stay competitive, given that "Formula 1 is a battle of resources". He added:

“It’s important for us [the association with Red Bull] because we want to be tough but fair competitors.

“The other thing I keep saying is if you look at the World Championship rankings from last year, you add the points from the bottom four teams, they have less than the team in P6.

“So what does it mean? It means that ultimately Formula 1 is a battle of resources [and] nowadays, also efficiency. And I believe that the teams which are further back in the rankings, they need a certain amount of support.

“That’s mainly through financial [means], pieces of product supply to actually remain competitive.

“The others, they will out-qualify and out-pay, be it on drivers, be it on certain investments on the CapEx side. In my eyes, it’s the wrong approach.

“The financial reality is a given today, and it's not that all the 10 teams are making money. We have to be careful [not] to overreact to the paranoia of certain people.”

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