Ex-Formula 1 driver David Coulthard believes that Red Bull is “sensitive to criticism” as it is personal to its work.
Red Bull enjoyed a dominant 2022 campaign as it wrapped up both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships with several rounds to spare.
However, it faced criticism during the year when it was found guilty of breaching the $145 million budget cap in 2021.
It also boycotted Sky Sports during the Mexican Grand Prix weekend as it took issue with how it was being portrayed by the broadcaster.
Coulthard, who spent his final F1 years with Red Bull, says that the Milton Keynes-based squad takes any criticism to heart – and that it isn’t alone in doing so.
“I can only imagine how much stick Ferrari get in Italy every single day, for example,” he told Mirror Sport.
“It’s an old expression, but one Mark Webber used a lot: ‘To know what it’s like to be somebody you’ve got to walk a mile in their shoes’. Obviously, Red Bull and Christian are going to be sensitive to any criticism of what they do, because it’s personal.
“When it comes to the media, they all have the right to interpret the scenario and events based on their particular vantage point.
“I see Formula 1 from the view of having been a driver, so there are a lot of things that I’ll have an opinion on that others won’t, but that doesn’t mean those opinions are not valid.
“If you only ever see things from people who agree with you or say nice things about you, then that’s a very blinkered view on life.
“I suspect McLaren are sensitive to some criticism, and Mercedes had some criticism during their dominant era as well. You’ve just got to accept it.”
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