The Red Bull RB8 could miss the start of winter testing

Before the Japanese Grand Prix, Adrian Newey had assured that the future RB8 would surprise everyone, thus announcing a car different from its predecessor, especially since it will be without the now famous blown diffuser. Now crowned with two constructors’ titles, Red Bull has full confidence in its key engineer, as evidenced by recent statements from Helmut Marko to the Austrian newspaper Kleine Zeitung: “The basic concept was laid out by Adrian and I didn’t ask him how advanced it was or what it would look like.”

The gray eminence of Dietrich Mateschitz also states that the British engineer will have as much time as he deems necessary to produce his single-seater, even if it means missing the start of winter testing: « Of course, we want to be there from the first tests, but if he tells me there is still half a second to gain, then I will listen to him. That’s what we did in 2009 and 2010… »

The RB5 and RB6 had indeed shown the tip of their nose once testing began, which did not prevent them from securing pole positions and victories, while the RB7, presented on time, proved to be a formidable machine in qualifying and more than effective in races. Nothing reassuring for the competition, especially since, now assured of the Constructors’ World Championship title, Red Bull will have the necessary funds to try to extend the technical hegemony of its team in 2012.

Helmut Marko also acknowledges that the constructors’ title is just as important – if not more – for a team: « The constructors’ world title is also very important given that the bonuses are based solely on that. For the title, it’s significantly more money than the second place » concludes the Austrian.