Red Bull RB6, gentle evolution

If Adrian Newey hopes to have produced an RB6 adapted to the new technical regulations, the technical director also recognizes that it is very inspired by the RB5 of 2009.

Published on 11/02/2010 à 12:02

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Looking at the look of many single-seaters from the 2010 grid of Formula 1, Red Bull seems to have inspired many teams with its 5 RB2009. Also the team of Milton Keynes couldn't help but bring his good ideas up to date. This is how the new Red Bull-Renault, called RB6, displays certain similarities with its predecessor at first glance. “ With the changes for 2010 being relatively small, it would have been stupid to do without the research done and solutions updated on the 2009 car, says Adrian Newey, technical director of Red Bull, in the columns of AUTOhebdo. This is why we did not have to sacrifice the development of the RB5 last year to concentrate on the RB6. »

However, it would be wrong to claim that the new car from Red Bull presents few changes. The ban on refueling during the race posed a significant technical challenge for the Milton Keynes designer. “ It wasn't just a matter of putting a larger tank, comments Adrian Newey for AUTOhebdo. A larger reservoir means more weight on the brakes, therefore a more efficient cooling system. We also had to take into consideration the effect caused by the extra fuel on the degradation of the tires at the start of the race and see if there were things to change mechanically to obtain better management of the rubber. »

After voluntarily missing the Valencia tests in order to continue developing the RB6, Red Bull began testing this Wednesday on the Jerez circuit. Mark Webber thus completed 50 laps, while the progress of the tests was disrupted by the rain. “ It was very disappointing because, although it is always interesting to test in the rain, it is not ideal for a first outing., recognizes Ian Morgan, race engineer. It was also frustrating that a problem with a very small element late in the morning caused us to change engines later in the day, which cost us time. »

To compensate for this loss of time, Red Bull intensified its testing program this Thursday since, after a two-hour session at Jerez, Mark Webber was the hardest-working driver on track.