Red Bull RB18 Speculation Thread

[wowgr8]

Adrian Newey talks about the 2022 regulation change regarding the RB18

Looking at that rear wing I don’t understand how that supports DRS in any way. It is not a movable part?

This is just a fake car so DRS is not implemented. The DRS flap will just be a part of that top element, it will anchor on the sides of the wing

[PhillipM]

What if this IS the a preliminary version of the RB18? Since the new regs forbid loads of areas of the car not to be developed, the actual space for your own fingerprint is diminished quite a bit. So, although it probably is the FIA showcar in RB livery, I wouldn't be that much surprised when the actual RB18 for testing is not that far away from these pictures.

it's absolutely, exactly, the same as the showcar. With new paint.

[SmallSoldier]

Red Bull were ultra secretive last year and even held a filming day with a car 2 years old in a year where 90% of the car was carried over from 2020 anyway. Not at all surprised they would pull this although I feel really disrespected as a fan, I understand why they did it

I really hope it isn't a trend. Mercedes will probably do the same

I also fully expect McLaren to be a livery launch (which is why they are doing a simultaneous launch across all categories that they are racing in).

Actually, McLaren is expected to show an actual car, probably an early version of it, but it won’t be any of the FOM models

[Hoffman900]

As shared here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/formula1/comme ... ame=iossmf

Take it for what it’s worth.

[f1316]

I have to say, I thought they might show something vaguely different from the show car - if for no other reason than to trick other teams!

I know we all knew not to expect the real thing but bit of a shame to have nothing to even speculate about

[SmallSoldier]

28 years is a long time ago! Compare 1966 and 1994 to see the same time difference.

I think people are most upset at RB calling this the RB18 and doubling down on social media, as opposed to calling it what it is, a livery / sponsor reveal.

My guess is Liberty won’t like this and will force teams to unveil real cars after this year. They’re probably looking at NASCAR and all the press they got with their NextGen cars and drooling.

Liberty can’t force the teams to present anything, forget about “real cars”, they can’t even force them to have a launch for “a car”.

Easy: the car you present at your launch is the car you must run on the first day of the pre-season test.

That would at least force them to launch a runnable car.

The thing is that Launches are not part of the season… Liberty, FOM, FIA can’t tell the teams how, when and what to show in a “Car Launch”, that would be absolutely ridiculous

[Hoffman900]

Liberty can’t force the teams to present anything, forget about “real cars”, they can’t even force them to have a launch for “a car”.

Easy: the car you present at your launch is the car you must run on the first day of the pre-season test.

That would at least force them to launch a runnable car.

The thing is that Launches are not part of the season… Liberty, FOM, FIA can’t tell the teams how, when and what to show in a “Car Launch”, that would be absolutely ridiculous

They could structure things in such a way. Basically a media day that they have to bring their cars to. Obviously the homologation freezes and tests do that to some degree

[SmallSoldier]

Easy: the car you present at your launch is the car you must run on the first day of the pre-season test.

That would at least force them to launch a runnable car.

The thing is that Launches are not part of the season… Liberty, FOM, FIA can’t tell the teams how, when and what to show in a “Car Launch”, that would be absolutely ridiculous

They could structure things in such a way. Basically a media day that they have to bring their cars to. Obviously the homologation freezes and tests do that to some degree

We already have that in place, in the way that you have to run the car / parts that you use in FP1… But a car launch? That’s a marketing tool for the Teams and in that way, they can do whatever they want… Liberty, FIA, FOM can’t tell teams what they can or can’t do outside of the “competition” (read technical and sporting regulations)

[Hoffman900]

I know that, and that’s how it is, for now…

[Flanker27]

That's ridicolous.

[Neuron]

In other hand - are the teams obligated to do such "new car reveal"? Cause if not... what's the reason to do such BS?

[the EDGE]

In other hand - are the teams obligated to do such "new car reveal"? Cause if not... what's the reason to do such BS?

No they are under no obligation, some teams never even bother

For most teams that do, it’s about fan engagement, for RB & AT it’s all about marketing

For the last 2 years AT have held a fashion show, and shown a brief glimpse of the car at some point, and called it a car launch… If you want to cringe, they are are available on YouTube, you have to feel sorry for the F1 team when you see it

[Just_a_fan]

Liberty can’t force the teams to present anything, forget about “real cars”, they can’t even force them to have a launch for “a car”.

Easy: the car you present at your launch is the car you must run on the first day of the pre-season test.

That would at least force them to launch a runnable car.

The thing is that Launches are not part of the season… Liberty, FOM, FIA can’t tell the teams how, when and what to show in a “Car Launch”, that would be absolutely ridiculous

If the rules say "you launch the car and then run it on day one" the teams can do a launch event like today, or do it on the eve of testing their call.

If you want to do a livery launch then fill your boots and do what you want but it's called such.

[SmallSoldier]

Easy: the car you present at your launch is the car you must run on the first day of the pre-season test.

That would at least force them to launch a runnable car.

The thing is that Launches are not part of the season… Liberty, FOM, FIA can’t tell the teams how, when and what to show in a “Car Launch”, that would be absolutely ridiculous

If the rules say "you launch the car and then run it on day one" the teams can do a launch event like today, or do it on the eve of testing their call.

If you want to do a livery launch then fill your boots and do what you want but it's called such.

We could come up with any rule we want, but let’s be a bit realistic at least… The launch of a car isn’t part of the competition, therefore it won’t be a part of any “rule”… Car launches aren’t “mandated”, the team’s don’t have to do one if they don’t feel like it. It is nothing more than a marketing event from the teams for their sponsors, that’s it.

I’m as disappointed as everyone else by Red Bull using the FOM Model to launch their livery and the fact that they actually called it the RB18… But asking for a rule to govern car launches is a bit too much (and bit too entitled in my opinion)… Every team will do something different and what they think is right for them and their brand, why do we as fans think that we are owed what we want is beyond me… This car “launches” are just filling time while we still wait for racing (which is what matters) starts, let’s enjoy them for what they are or ignore them if we don’t like them.

[timbo]

The thing is that Launches are not part of the season… Liberty, FOM, FIA can’t tell the teams how, when and what to show in a “Car Launch”, that would be absolutely ridiculous

If the rules say "you launch the car and then run it on day one" the teams can do a launch event like today, or do it on the eve of testing their call.

If you want to do a livery launch then fill your boots and do what you want but it's called such.

We could come up with any rule we want, but let’s be a bit realistic at least… The launch of a car isn’t part of the competition, therefore it won’t be a part of any “rule”… Car launches aren’t “mandated”, the team’s don’t have to do one if they don’t feel like it. It is nothing more than a marketing event from the teams for their sponsors, that’s it.

I’m as disappointed as everyone else by Red Bull using the FOM Model to launch their livery and the fact that they actually called it the RB18… But asking for a rule to govern car launches is a bit too much (and bit too entitled in my opinion)… Every team will do something different and what they think is right for them and their brand, why do we as fans think that we are owed what we want is beyond me… This car “launches” are just filling time while we still wait for racing (which is what matters) starts, let’s enjoy them for what they are or ignore them if we don’t like them.

I agree with your points. But WRC somehow manages to do just that. Although by the time of the official reveal the cars are all seen in testing anyway.