NEWS CHANNEL
This is the first picture of the car which RedBull Racing hopes will keep them on top of the world.
The city-based team had the perfect 2011 by cruising to both the drivers’ and constructor’s titles and they will be looking to stay ahead of their Formula One rivals again with new car the RB8.
Chief technical officer Adrian Newey is again the brains behind the new car, which defending world champ Sebastian Vettel and team-mate Mark Webber will be racing next season.
A major change from last year’s all conquering RB7 is the height of the front nose which has been lowered to meet new regulations.
Newey has also had to cope with the removal of RB7’s exhaust blown diffuser.
He said:“The restriction nose height which is a maximum height just in front of the front bulkhead hasn’t really changed the chassis shape very much.
“We’ve kept more or less the same chassis shape, but had to drop the nose just in front of the front bulkhead, which, in common with many other teams, has led us to what I think I’d probably say is a slightly ugly looking nose.
“We’ve tried to style it as best we can, but it’s not a feature you would choose to put in were it not for the regulation.”
Newey added that the car is the fourth generation of the 2009 car, the RB5.
And teamprincipal Christian Horner welcomed the new car’s arrival.
“This year’s car build has gone fantastically well and I think it’s the epitome of continuity, continuity across all areas,” he said.
“I think we’ve designed and built this car in a record amount of time.”
The RB8 is currently being tested in Jerez in Spain and much is being kept secret.
World champ Vettel added:“The last two years we have had two big things taken away, the double diffusers and the system around the blown exhaust.
“But the first time I jumped into the car for the seat fit to see if everything works I felt extremely comfortable.
“I think it was the same for Mark and myself.”
