1/43 Model Review: 2009 Red Bull RB5 Renault

Background

Vettel was promoted to the senior Red Bull team having driven for Toro Rosso and embarrassed the senior team by scoring either teams first victory, regularly out-performing the Red Bulls and finishing ahead in the Constructors' Championship. 2009 saw new rules and regulations and Red Bull had a promising pre-season. But it was Brawn who dominated the first half of the year, helped by their double diffuser design. But a rain-soaked Chinese Grand Prix brought Red Bulls first victory and 1-2 finish with Vettel winning, which this model commemorates. As Red Bull introduced the double diffuser, the potential in the car was finally displayed as the balance of power shifted to the Red Bulls, with three further victories for Vettel and two for Webber. Red Bull with Adrian Newey designed cars, and Sebastian Vettel would dominate the next four seasons with the foundations based on the RB5.

Minichamps

Minichamps 400090115

There aren't too many special race-specific editions by Minichamps for the 2009 season, but you can get this variant of the early season RB5 with a model of Vettel standing in his cockpit, the scene of Red Bull's first victory in China. The conditions were very wet, so you get a nice set of wet tyres with it. This is a nice model, I liked the thin nose they started the season off with, though I wish they didn't pioneer the somewhat excessive shark fin. The driver model isn't bad either.
Score: 8/10

Pantegana/Tameo

Pantegana PK001

I've not heard of Pantegana, but some have labelled it as a Tameo kit from the British GP where by then, the car had a wider nose and added a double diffuser. Minichamps have nice decals (the Red Bull looks way too stretched on the sidepod on this one) and a better blue. The resin model (as opposed to Minichamps' diecast) allows for nicer detail on the shape, and they are recreated nicely on this model.

Score: 9/10

Where are they now?

Red Bull went on to dominate F1 until 2013 when the hybrid era began and the Renault engine had held them back. They still compete for victories, but not enough to challenge for championships. 2019 is the start of their relationship with Honda, and so far there is promise of progress, but still not quite enough for a championship yet, but it is not far away.

Sebastian Vettel won four World Championships in a row at Red Bull, but a poor 2014 season saw him depart for Ferrari. Having a quick car in 2017, and a better contender in 2018, Vettel looked to challenge for the title, only for mistakes and bad luck to strike. 2019 so far looks like their best opportunity to win the Championship yet.

Mark Webber nearly won the 2010 championship, but a bad strategy call at the final race meant his team-mate gained the title. He never really recovered from that, and despite some great performances, was not consistent enough to challenge Vettel for titles. He went on to win in WEC for Porsche and is now a pundit on TV.