Newey: 2010 Red Bull will be evolutionary, not revolutionary 20 Aug 2009
The relatively low-key rule changes for next season will mean the design of Red Bull’s 2010 car is unlikely to be as radical as that of this year’s race-winning RB5. That is according to the team’s chief technical officer, Adrian Newey.
Faced with the most dramatic shake-up to the technical regulations in years, Newey’s 2009 design took many in the paddock by surprise, with its high, u-shaped nose and its return to the use of pull-rod rear suspension. It has developed into a proven race winner, despite not featuring a double diffuser in its original concept.
But with the outlawing of in-race refuelling the only major rule change for 2010, Newey is anticipating evolution rather than revolution for the RB6.
“The ban on refuelling is primarily a packaging challenge as we have to integrate a fuel tank which is almost double the size of the existing one, whilst trying to maintain the basic design of the existing car,” Newey told Formula1.com. “I would consider RB6 to be more of an evolutionary design rather than a radical departure.”
Like all of their rivals, Red Bull are currently juggling development of their 2010 car with ongoing modifications to their 2009 machine - something that presents every team with something of a dilemma.
“RB6 development is currently centred initially around long-lead items, these primarily being the monocoque and gearbox,” explained Newey. “We are in the research stages at the moment and continuing to develop the RB5. It is always a difficult balance to maintain and we try to use our resources as efficiently as possible.”
Newey admitted that after the challenge of the 2009 rule changes, next season could prove something of an anti-climax as a designer. Nevertheless, he insists he still relishes the creative process involved in conceptualising a new car.
“In a sense yes, stable regulations mean that the designs along the pit lane converge and become evolutions of each other - I do like the challenge of major regulation changes as it offers opportunity for fresh thinking,” he added. “In many ways I enjoy the initial creation of the car, when the ethos of the car is set down.”
Red Bull lie second in the constructors’ standings heading into this weekend’s European Grand Prix, 15.5 points adrift of leaders Brawn. However, in the last three races Brawn have scored only 18 points to Red Bull’s 42.
