For Newey and Lauda, Red Bull can still improve in 2012
After an exceptional 2011 season, the technical director of the world champion team believes there are still areas where his team can improve in the future. For Niki Lauda, there is no doubt that Red Bull Racing will be the team to beat in 2012.
As the first tests of the 2012 Formula 1 season are set to take place in a few weeks, teams are busy getting everything ready.
At Red Bull, Adrian Newey believes that the Austrian team still has room for improvement compared to 2011. This is bad news for the opponents of Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber, as the RB7, especially the one marked with the number 1, was dominant last season.
« All we can do is try to look at our weaknesses from this year and try to improve. There are still certain areas where we can do better, but as always it’s going to be a race of development over the winter, » the English engineer explained to Autosport.
« There were certain circuits that didn’t suit us, mainly when the weather was cooler like in July-August where we struggled, but there were other races that traditionally weren’t our hunting ground in recent years, like Spa or Monza where we were very competitive.
The main change compared to 2011 will be in the exhausts, which will return to a high position as was the case until 2008. So, goodbye to blown exhausts that caused so much discussion during the previous championship. For Newey, this is an important area for the development of the next car.
« Everyone is going to work to try to regain lost support, and whoever comes up with the best solution will likely be the winner next year. »
And for Niki Lauda, Red Bull Racing is likely to be the team that will provide the best solution. For the former Austrian driver, there is almost no doubt that Red Bull will dominate the championship again next year.
« Logic tells me that Red Bull will dominate again. Except for the rules change for the exhausts, the regulations are relatively stable between 2011 and 2012. The one who can rely on a good car has an advantage. Building something better is simpler than making something new, » emphasizes the triple world champion.
It is true that Red Bull’s opponents will have to take some risks and show creativity to hope to beat the future RB8, which can rely on the good foundations of the RB7. In any case, we’ll have to wait for the first tests in February to find out if these risks will pay off or not and if the RB8 will indeed be the car to beat in 2012.
