Mclaren's budget in 2008 was estimated at $430m (£244m in 2008), with Ferrari not far behind at $415m (£235m). Red Bull's was estimated to be $164m (£93m). Even if they rose to £160m in 2009, then I can't see them getting within £20m, or even £100m of McLaren or Ferrari.
But budgets from 2 years ago do not represent the teams budgets as they are now, and I suspect the reason you've quoted them is to give the impression of the gap being far larger than it actually is today, which is of course the topic at hand.
Ferrari's F1 budget for 2009 is rumoured to have fallen to $370 million for example, and according to some has been rumoured to be around €240 million this season whilst McLaren's budget has thought to have reduced dramatically since Mercedes reduced it's interest last season, to somewhere in the region of €220 million. Red Bull Racing's
(presumably excluding Red Bull Technology) budget for this season is thought to be in the region of €150 million, whilst they might not be entirely accurate figures, I suspect they're probably not widely inaccurate either, or at least the difference/ratio anyway.
Both of those teams had to put huge amounts of resources into developing their 2009 cars for a massive rule change, and then redeveloping them when they turned out to be dogs. The amount it would have cost to do that would have negated any attempt they made at budget cuts. The same has happened in 2010, while Red Bull have been able to simply evolve a known-good design the other teams have had to push harder to keep up.
The amount it would have cost to do that would have negated any attempt they made at budget cuts.
Isn't this merely conjecture? presumably the development of the 2010 cars came from the 2010 budget, not in addition to, whilst in season development of the 2009 cars would've been covered by the 2009 budgets. An increase in applied resources does not automatically equate to additional costs.
Red Bull's style is to work smart, spending money on developing only what it feels is necessary.
This doesn't appear to be born out by the dramatic increase in spending of Red Bull over the last few seasons, if we're to believe that Red Bull are
simply evolving a known-good design.
The team also has an amazing workforce who are willing to put in considerable hours over their paid time to see the car come together to win.
I am sure this is no different to the other teams.
But I can't help but think that it's folly to try and attempt to suggest that Red Bull are some kind of minion team, rather than what they actually are, which is the very well funded racing arm of a massive global conglomerate, with extraordinary financial resources available should they need them.
And I don't see the point in trying to downplay it either.
*shrugs*
