Red Bull will continue to develop its RB10 until Abu Dhabi
As the gap in the championship between Mercedes and Red Bull has already widened, the Austrian team does not intend to resign and wishes to continue the development of its RB10 until late in the 2014 Formula 1 season.
For the first time since 2009, it is almost certain that the world championship trophies will not be won by Red Bull Racing and Sebastian Vettel. While some teams will take advantage of the summer break to halt the development of their current car to focus on the 2015 car, this will not be the case for the four-time reigning world champions, assures Christian Horner: I can’t speak for other teams, but [we will fight] until Abu Dhabi.
The key element of this decision is the relative stability of the 2015 regulations: « We have nine future opportunities to develop the car and learn more about it before next year. » Although Red Bull does not wish to focus on its future car, the RB10 should serve as a laboratory to learn as much as possible that can be used on the so-called “RB11.” Furthermore, as Daniel Ricciardo demonstrated in Canada, the Austrian team can aim for victory… in case of Mercedes’ failure, even if aiming for the championship is utopian: « Every race weekend is an opportunity, and I think Mercedes would have to do something quite catastrophic to lose the championship. »
In previous seasons, Red Bull has become accustomed to making a giant leap forward after the summer break, thanks to a very aggressive development program. Thus, if the Mercedes drivers could compete with Sebastian Vettel during the first part of the 2013 season, the German then won the remaining nine races in a dominant car at his disposal. But such development is not expected to take place this season: « I think it will be difficult given that the chassis is already very good, as we saw in the first and third sectors in Germany, where we were very fast. » Indeed, the second sector, consisting of one of the longest straights of the championship, was the major weakness for the Red Bull drivers, due to a power unit lacking in power: « We had a slight improvement with fuel, but we desperately need a bigger step forward. »
After criticizing Renault Sport F1’s management regarding this power unit, Christian Horner is satisfied with the changes made by the engine manufacturer: « The management changes are very positive. » And although Red Bull expects a lot from Renault, the director of the reigning world champions appreciates the new mentality of the French engine manufacturer’s team: « They will make the changes that will begin to close the gap with Mercedes. » And while hopes for this season are compromised, the Austrians are looking towards the future: « Of course, it will take some time, but it’s the right attitude to start making progress. »
It remains to be seen whether the men from Viry-Châtillon will be able to close the gap in 2015. If not, the rhetoric from the men of Red Bull Racing will likely no longer be the same.
