Red Bull launched the RB7 – the car to defend the driver and constructors’ titles it won last year – this morning in Valencia just 90 minutes before pre-season testing got underway.
Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber where both at the unveiling, which takes place just six weeks before the first grand prix of the season in Bahrain.
Speaking at the launch, team principal Christian Horner praised the workforce at Milton Keynes for their hard work over the winter break, whilst acknowledging the task that faces them over the coming months.
“It's a great feeling to arrive here and roll out the car with the number one on it as the reigning World Champions, but now the challenge is to keep it,”? he explained. “The team's been very focused on RB7 over the last few months; Adrian didn't release his drawings any earlier than normal, so the whole design group and production team have done a remarkable job to produce this car in the shortest possible time.
“It's a long season, the longest in F1 history, and we have some great opponents, but we are very motivated and will be working hard to hold on to the two world titles. I'm sure it's going to be a fascinating battle.”
Adrian Newey, who was universally acclaimed for the success of last year’s RB6, highlighted the one area in the new regulations that he feels is most important for Red Bull to get right as the new season begins.
“The big challenge for us this year was the reintroduction of the KERS system,” he said. “It's always a challenge to find solutions, which don't compromise the aerodynamics of the car. This season, with McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes all having KERS, we need to get it to work, simply for performance off the line.”
