RBR's Bahrain launch

As a company, Red Bull prides itself on being unpredictable, but it seemed to have forgotten its own rules here in Bahrain as it started the 2006 season in exactly the same way that it ended the 2005 year, with an absolutely knock-out party. Hours from the start of this year’s Formula One action getting underway in Bahrain, Red Bull hosted a spectacular Arabian Nights launch for Red Bull Racing’s second year in F1. Apparently, some other team called Toro something or other was also involved.

The world’s press and a galaxy of VIP guests were invited to attend the “1002nd Arabian Night” on a private island off the coast of Bahrain. Oil lamps lit the way down a kilometre of carpet to the venue where everything Arabia is famous for was on show. Dancers and musicians entertained everyone as they feasted on delicious local cuisine, prior to the action speeding up on stage. Film of the two teams in action culminated in some atmospheric footage of all four cars from both teams racing one another around the Paul Ricard Circuit in the South of France.

Then, in a moment straight out of every cliché of Arabian culture, a Red Bull Racing car and Scuderia Toro Rosso machine swept through the air on hidden wires to arrive on stage as if on a Magic Carpet. The new liveries reflect the fact that Red Bull’s two teams are in competition with one another but are very much part of the same family. As the obligatory dry ice swirled around the cars, the six drivers stepped out on stage to an enthusiastic welcome from the one thousand strong crowd.

“What a fantastic venue,” said David Coulthard. “I think the film played before the cars swooped onto the stage conveyed the excitement of F1. The livery looked fantastic and all six of us are keen to get a good result this weekend.”

“As usual with Red Bull, everything about the venue and party is fantastic,” added team-mate Christian Klien.

“I’m new here, but I’ve been to Red Bull parties before and this lives up to their reputation,” reckoned third driver,Robert Doornbos. “The cars look great, so let’s hope they go as quick as they look.”

With work tomorrow, the event did not go on too long after midnight, but was given the official seal of approval, by the presence of FIA President Max Mosley and Bernie Ecclestone.