News for hackers. Stuff that matters.
Re:The Mythology of Red Bull by joncrane on Monday April 05, 2021 @01:57PM (#26702259)
I have to admit, Red Bull really knows how to spend their sponsorship dollars.

I practice and am a big fan of two sports they sponsor heavily: skateboarding and auto racing.

They sponsor some of the absolute best and "real" skaters, including Jamie Foy and Zion Wright, among others. They aren't corporate or try to mold fiercely independent skaters into an image. They just pay the best skaters in the world to wear their logo. They also pay to build some of the best skateparks/obstacle courses in the world by sponsoring some of the contest series.

In auto racing they sponsor the iconic Red Bull Racing team, headed by an absolute troll of a human being but also insanely successful. They have the best aerodynamicist in racing history (Adrian Newey) and some of the best drivers in the world. They won 4 straight championships with Seb Vettel, and now look poised to finally challenge Mercedes' dominance this year.

I personally don't drink any energy drink besides coffee, but two of the big things I'm passionate about are the better for Red Bull's involvement.

Re:The Mythology of Red Bull by Maarten88 on Monday April 05, 2021 @02:52PM (#26703014)
I'm also a big Formula 1 fan, they also sponsor some of the best surfers like Kai Lenny and awesome events like King of the Air. I enjoy Red Bull, the marketing.

Not so much the product. The problem I have with them is that they make the money for all this good stuff by selling expensive and extremely unhealthy drinks to youngsters. I'm wondering if they are a net positive for the world, my conscience whispers maybe they are not.

Red Bull may be the only company that I like for their marketing but whose product I'd like to be taxed to oblivion (together with all sugary softdrinks).

Re:The Mythology of Red Bull by verall on Monday April 05, 2021 @05:29PM (#26704954)
Unlike other energy drinks, due to high price, small size, simpler flavor, it's not the choice for young teens. Young teens are drinking Monster and Fanta and nowadays boba tea.

Mostly grown ups drink red bull. And most that I know drink the sugar free version.

Re:The Mythology of Red Bull by metachris on Monday April 05, 2021 @02:42PM (#26702869)
Same with climbing. They have been big sponsors, of athletes, competitions and events. And been putting out really great videos.

* https://www.redbull.com/int-en/tags/climbing * https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=red+bull+climbi...

Re:The Mythology of Red Bull by at-fates-hands on Monday April 05, 2021 @02:23PM (#26702617)
> Jamie Foy

The dude turned the entire skateboarding world on its head. Guy looks like a varsity football player who quit to skate, but absolutely rips. The guy is the antithesis of what people think of when they think skateboarders. I'm so glad Red Bull sponsored him. Dude won the SOTY in 2017 and is a legit elite skater.

Re:The Mythology of Red Bull by Cshelton on Monday April 05, 2021 @02:14PM (#26702490)
How is Christian Horner (Red Bull Racing F1 team principal) a troll of a human being? He’s one of my favorites in F1. He’s blunt and strictly business, but a troll...?

Edit: Ah, never mind!

Re:The Mythology of Red Bull by dgritsko on Monday April 05, 2021 @02:16PM (#26702513)
I thought the same thing at first, but I'm pretty sure OP is referring to Helmut Marko.
Re:The Mythology of Red Bull by User23 on Monday April 05, 2021 @02:39PM (#26702821)
As someone who doesn't know much more about F1 than engine go vrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr what's the issue with Helmut Marko?
Re:The Mythology of Red Bull by dgritsko on Monday April 05, 2021 @03:14PM (#26703297)
This article[1] describes him as "ruthless" and unnecessarily critical, and I'd assume that's most people's issue with him. It has recently resulted in him not giving young drivers much of a chance to "find their footing" before demoting them (e.g. Kvyat, Gasly, Albon).

[1]: https://www.planetf1.com/features/formula-1-villain-helmut-m...

Re:The Mythology of Red Bull by Bootvis on Monday April 05, 2021 @02:34PM (#26702774)
Is he that bad?
Re:The Mythology of Red Bull by tcoff91 on Monday April 05, 2021 @02:16PM (#26702517)
He's talking about Helmut Marko.
Re:The Mythology of Red Bull by edf13 on Monday April 05, 2021 @02:53PM (#26703020)
But he’s not the head of Red Bull racing, is he?
Re:The Mythology of Red Bull by art3m on Monday April 05, 2021 @03:08PM (#26703228)
Almost is. He’s a good friend of Mateschitz and basically can ‘recommend’ any decisions in team.
Re:The Mythology of Red Bull by selykg on Monday April 05, 2021 @02:44PM (#26702884)
I am hopeful for Red Bull finally putting up a real legit fight this year in F1... I am not sure Red Bull won't get in their own way just yet... Too soon to tell.
Re:The Mythology of Red Bull by art3m on Monday April 05, 2021 @03:06PM (#26703198)
The most toxic team in F1, the only moments I root for Mercedes are when they compete with RBR.
Re:The Mythology of Red Bull by DrSiemer on Monday April 05, 2021 @04:15PM (#26704068)
What is so toxic about them? I'm from the Netherlands and all we get here is good news.
Re:The Mythology of Red Bull by sojournerc on Monday April 05, 2021 @09:19PM (#26706927)
I'm in the US, and definitely appreciate red bull competing with mercedes. If anything, Verstappen got a rough deal in the last race.
Re:The Mythology of Red Bull by joncrane on Tuesday April 06, 2021 @07:02AM (#26710404)
It's a pressure cooker for drivers and C. Horner seems to extract sadistic glee in fucking with these young drivers they throw up against Max.

Max was obviously molded by his father to resist psychological pressure. That combined with the fact he may be the best driver in the world insulate him from the toxicity. But between Webber, Albon, Kvyat, and Gasly, RBR has treated them horribly then glibly said "well it's F1 mate you have to stand the pressure to survive." It's sick.