In the blue, yellow and red corner
With their mobile disco and beauty contest, Red Bull got up the paddock's nose when they replaced Jaguar in 2005. Like the no-mates practical joker in the office who constantly tells you to lighten up, they were unlikely ever to reach promotion. Then their 09 overhaul gave former McLaren tech guru Adrian Newey – the oddly placed boffin in their midst – the chance to design the most copied car of last season.
Highs and lows of 2009
The leap from seventh in the 2008 standings to runners-up last year was a giant stride. But if you view the glass of sickly energy drink as half empty, then they failed to win either title with arguably the best car on the track.
Just don't mention
Team principal Christian Horner is playing up the fact that of the big four teams theirs is the only one to have retained both drivers. That'll be Aussie Mark Webber, who in 07 missed out on what could have been a debut victory when Sebastian Vettel punted them both out of the Japanese grand prix. The German, then still a teenager, was caught by the television cameras blubbering in the Toro Rosso pits. These days he's Webber's team-mate.
Change is bad
Racing sages love to say that a team are only as good as their last race and Red Bull scored a one-two at Abu Dhabi. The predicted early-season chaos as strategists adapt to the new regs is not going to help the team's chances of picking up where they left off.
Stands out in a crowd
Like the class swot who gets drunk to prove he can be cool, this team will turn up with a swimming pool for a hospitality suite and still romp away with a win.
Most likely to crash into
Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz will have one of his autocrat's eyes trained on Brawn GP's 2010 incarnation, Mercedes, and the other on champion Jenson Button.
Pitboard message
Hurry up, Seb – the DJ's about to hit the decks.
Who pulls the strings
Megalomaniac Mateschitz. Or British toff Horner (he's the one in the smart-casual blazer). But it has to be the quietly spoken but uncompromising Newey, whose bold designs are the real force behind Red Bull's success.
Cockpit compatibility
Last year's No2 Vettel is the golden boy and knows he's got a surplus of youth and speed over Webber, who scored his maiden win only at the age of 33 and whose palms must bead with sweat when the words "contract negotiations" are uttered. Red Bull is committed long-term to Vettel – but not so to Webber – and the German, who looks poised to throw a mega strop when things don't go well, will not concede anything to his older team-mate.
What's in the boot
The endless billions generated by teenage Euro-boppers downing Red Bull and Vodka in Belgian discotheques remove the pressure of finding financial sponsorship, allowing Newey freedom to design the best car on the grid. Although they're stuck with a Renault after moves to secure a Mercedes engine supply failed, anything less than the title would be a major failure.
Tiger in the tank
An unusual combination of double diffuser and pull-rod rear suspension has raised the eyebrows of rival tech bosses but Newey's uncompromising choices usually pay off. But they missed the first official test and were hit by bad weather and an engine failure on the RB6's debut run.
Tweet this
These Red Bulls do have wings.
Not this
Vettel's hats are hard to swallow.
Title odds
5-1
If they were an iPhone app
Paper Toss
Simple concept proves a winner and morphs into the ultimate executive's plaything. Successful, especially when the goalposts have been moved. Promotes itself as the antidote to boredom and is a good laugh to begin with but in the end it reveals itself to be quite frustrating and just as monotonous as everything else. Even though it dresses itself up quite groovily, after a short spell it can turn out to be a colossal waste of time.
The drivers
1. Sebastien Vettel, 22, Germany
He's the one who
Is known as Baby Schumi in Germany. He manages to be F1's poster boy because of his speed, skill and sunny disposition while wearing a tea cosy on his head which suggests either that his mum has done his hair or a trip to the Advanced Hair Studio may be imminent.
On track for
The title if he can pick up where he left off in 2009. His courage and pace in the wet have been exemplary and he is getting the better of the impetuosity that has led to mistakes. He gave Jenson Button sleepless nights after the Briton's spring offensive faded and a good start would turn the rest of the field into insomniacs this time round.
In another life he'd be
The young bass player recruited to sex up the Scorpions' reunion.
2. Mark Webber, 33, Australia
He's the one who
Is a typical Aussie battler – a blokey fair dinkum veteran rough diamond with a heart of gold enjoying an Indian summer since he finally got his chance in a car that was for once not about as much use as tits on a bull.
On track for
Shouting 'you beauty' several times during another decent season, having bagged his first two victories last year after 130 winless career grands prix, and continuing to make the most interesting race weekend comments despite prefacing every sentence with the word 'Look'.
In another life he'd be
Squinting under a New South Wales sun and baggy green cap, preparing to clear his throat to sing Under the Southern Cross as another nuggety innings grinds England's cricketers under Australia's heel.
Facts and figures
Debut Australia 2005 Grands prix 88
Wins 6 Poles 5
Constructors' titles 0
Drivers' titles 0
Based Milton Keynes
Team principal Christian Horner Technical director Adrian Newey
The car
Engine Renault Tyres Bridgestone