Comment by joncrane | Hacker News Reader

Comment by joncrane | Hacker News Reader

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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.

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).

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.

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...

> 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.

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!

I thought the same thing at first, but I'm pretty sure OP is referring to Helmut Marko.

As someone who doesn't know much more about F1 than engine go vrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr what's the issue with Helmut Marko?

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...

Is he that bad?

He's talking about Helmut Marko.

But he’s not the head of Red Bull racing, is he?

Almost is. He’s a good friend of Mateschitz and basically can ‘recommend’ any decisions in team.

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.

The most toxic team in F1, the only moments I root for Mercedes are when they compete with RBR.

What is so toxic about them? I'm from the Netherlands and all we get here is good news.

I'm in the US, and definitely appreciate red bull competing with mercedes. If anything, Verstappen got a rough deal in the last race.

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.

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