New Book review: Growing Wings The Inside Story of Red Bull Racing by Ben Hunt

Congrats to Max and Red Bull on securing the 2024 drivers championship in Vegas! Although there have been several books published on Red Bull F1 drivers such as Max Verstappen, Sebastian Vettel, Mark Webber and David Coulthard, there haven’t been many books that have actually focused on the history of the Red Bull F1 team itself (except maybe Red Bull’s own in-house biopic book, “20 Laps under the Sun”). 

Ben Hunt who previously authored a Lando Norris biography has penned a new book “Growing Wings – The Inside Story of Red Bull Racing” which traces the birth of the team from the purchase  of the Jaguar F1 team from Ford by Dietrich Mateschitz in 2004 all the way through to Max’s 3rd drivers championship and the team’s 6th constructors championship in 2023.

The early chapters delve into Christian Horner taking over the reigns of the team with Gunther Steiner also onboard in 2004, luring guru Adrian Newey across to the team in 2006, Mark Webber joining in 2007 and the ascendant Seb Vettel at the sister team, Toro Rosso.

Chapters 7-10 covers the successful drivers & constructors championship seasons with Vettel and Webber including their famous on track scraps.

The middle chapters deal with post Vettel move to Ferrari with Danny Ric emerging as the lead driver to be later usurped by the young wunderkind Max Verstappen winning on debut with the senior team.

The later chapters cover Max’s gradual world championship successes while chewing up several teammates (Danny Ric, Kyat, Gasly, Albon and Checo) along the way.

The book is largely chronological in order and most of the interview quotes are from Christian Horner reflecting on his recollection of key wins or dramas in the team.

The centre parting of the book has around 16 pages of colour photos to complement the text. Most of the photos are largely off track except for the infamous clash at Imola 2021 between Max’s RB16B piggybacking Lewis’s Mercedes.

Ben Hunt’s writing style is engaging and easy to read. If you’re a Red Bull fan, this is the latest book that’s worth grabbing.

Wow factor/Money shot: Interview insights from Christian Horner

Suitable for: Recent F1 and Drive to Survive fans