Team: Adrian Newey (CTO), Petr Prodromou (CA), Rob Marshall (CD), Christian Horner (TP) Drivers: Sebastian Vettel (1), Mark Webber (2), Sebastian Buemi (reserve) Team name: Infiniti Red Bull Racing
A place to discuss the characteristics of the cars in Formula One, both current as well as historical. Laptimes, driver worshipping and team chatter do not belong here.
"...and there, very much in flames, is Jacques Laffite's Ligier. That's obviously a turbo blaze, and of course, Laffite will be able to see that conflagration in his mirrors... he is coolly parking the car somewhere safe."Murray Walker, San Marino 1985
Anyway, interesting take on the modesty panel. Much like Sauber, they've chosen to stick with the step, and just improve the airflow around the transition. Sauber have chosen to "fence" the side of their nose, so the airflow doesn't spill over. Red Bull have chosen to do the opposite. My guess would be neither team wanted the additional weight of a full modesty panel, which would be very high and very far forward. That or this is actually more efficient than a flat nose... I would find that hard to believe.
the angle doesn't help though so I'm still not sure. I can't see anything special on this car compared to the previous one. Although we must always have in mind that Newey might have some aces up his sleeve that he won't reveal until the last test.
"Being second is to be the first of the ones who lose." - Ayrton Senna
Interesting that they've added a monkey seat. Last year we were told by certain people that a monkey seat means the team are struggling with downforce. I wonder if those same people will claim the same now...
I like the look of the car. The purple colour scheme looks good in the pictures. Hopefully it will help the commentators pick out the RB from the STR this year (some struggled last year at times).
The sidepods have been reworked and there is a lot of floor plate in front of the sidepods. Presumably this helps scavenge the front wing as well as helping to flow air to the rear.
Interesting that RBR have decided to run a hybrid-step nose rather than a full aeropanel like McLaren and Ferrari. Perhaps the rear benefits from the flow coming off this area?
It's going to be interesting to see how this car is developed compared to the McLaren and Ferrari as it uses the ramp exhaust compared to the pod exhaust. I get the feeling that the RedBull might be running out of development potential with this series of car (RB6-9) compared to others - albeit because they started ahead and the others have been catching up a lot of the time. Will be interesting to watch.
If you are more fortunate than others, build a larger table not a taller fence.
Craig Scarborough @ScarbsF1
@redbullf1spy 'Launch' over, car covered up, sunday afternoon wasted to see a nose cone from a distance in a dark warehouse
Either they're really hiding something, which is unlikely, or they're afraid competition might realize they simply dont have an answer for 2013.