How the mighty have fallen..... Horner rules out fighting Mercedes cars - GPUpdate.net Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has publicly conceded that Red Bull will not be in a position to compete with the Mercedes-powered runners at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix next weekend. The Milton Keynes-based outfit, winner of the past four Drivers' and Constructors' titles, has endured a torrid pre-season phase, with Renault's faulty power unit and car cooling problems severely limiting mileage. And although a selection of wary rival teams and drivers have refused to rule out the possibility of Red Bull putting up a fight on the streets of Melbourne, Horner admits this is unlikely to be the case. "We know we don't have the pace to challenge the Mercedes teams at the moment, but it's very much a case of see where we are in Melbourne," Horner, whose outfit finished third from bottom on the test mileage charts, is quoted as saying by The Daily Telegraph. "Then we know the scale and magnitude of what we have to climb. "We don't even know our starting point at the moment, so it's impossible to make predictions sitting here a week prior to the first race. But I have every confidence in the team, and in Renault, that we can make it. Our target is [to catch up] as soon as possible." Horner added that he has total faith in those working on fixes and developments back at the factory, reiterating that the core of the RB10's design team is the same as it was during its four previous title-winning campaigns. "We have enjoyed great success in the last five years, and we've got a very talented group of people," he said. "It's exactly the same group of people designing the current car. I don't think we're paying too much attention to what people are saying. You don't become idiots overnight. We've got a very strong group of people here. There's a real determination. You only have to look at the amount of hours going in. It's massive. "Some superhuman efforts are going in to get on top of the issues, to try and ensure we're in as good a shape as we can be in Melbourne and build from there. It's a marathon of a Grand Prix season, rather than a sprint."
Melbourne is only one race. They will put it right soon enough IMHO. I've been saying its a marathon for years....
True enough, but I don't think they'll finish a race until Spain and they won't be competitive until Singapore, then of course the season is completely out of their reach.
Horner appears to have a firm grasp on the obvious. But he has Newey and no one else does. They will get it figured out sooner rather than later. Handicapping the Red Bull a few horsepower might make it fair for everyone else.
I disagree that they won't finish a race until Spain, Renault has worked for other teams so far (although not nearly as good as the Ferrari and let us not even speak of the Merc engine...!). I think we'll see lots of holes in the bodywork for the RB coming weekend. That said, it'll take a while before they start being competitive.
LH has stated the car is very very good. LH knows when they get it fixed it will be a very tough competitor. Rejoice now but the probability is they are going to surprise us...
I agree that aerodynamically the RB10 is probably the finest car on the grid. It may take a while though, and the Renault unit may never be as powerful as the MB unit.
The previous Renault V8 was also the weakest engine (ignoring Cosworth, no idea what they played at but they where insignificant). Drivability will have a lot to do with this year too... That said, say a 60hp gap (no idea what it is) is massive and that won't be easy to overcome to say the least .
I can actually see RB10 doing well at Monaco. Huge power won't do a whole lot there. Remember, RB10 has their front brake issues AND rear electronic brake issues to sort as well as their numerous packaging and heat issues. I think of Chernobyl when I see RB10s issues
Red Bull may have a very lean year in 2014. Let's see how they behave against adversity, compared to when they dominate. We may see Vettel struggling in the middle of the pack for half a season before Red Bull revise the chassis design and build a new car. Insiders at Renault insist that Newey made the chassis so compact around the power plan that overheating in chronic on the RB compared to others Renault users.
Double-points logic becomes clear - Formula 1 - Motor Sport Magazine Double points in the last make more and more sense
Well, I have been saying that it will favour Vettel with the current RB10's performace to date - no one seemed to agree
Red Bull applies old technology to solve cooling issues, basic concept below: Image Unavailable, Please Login
Looks like the 50s vintage Testarossa Ferrari brake duct cooling feature, made with a hatchet and an axe at the circuit haha
I assume the double points baloney is in response to Vettel wrapping up the championship with rounds to go most of his championship years. Imagine the irony if Vettel goes into the last round down by 40 points and ends up winning the championship when the points leader has a DNF and Seb wins the race...
2 things. Firstly, don't judge the situation before the 1st race even started. Red Bull could be bull*****ting everyone. Secondly, nothing lasts forever, and Horner might be speaking the truth. Conclusion : Keep Calm and Wait for Raceday
And they've managed to get all the other Renault engined teams to join in this time? - I don't think so! With all the changes made to F1 for this coming season, even Red Bull cannot afford to be so arrogant as to play games like that during winter testing! My monies on them being in genuine trouble this year! (For the few few races at least!)
The measure of men is how they respond to adversity. So far Horner and RB aren't looking too good in that respect.
I hear that JB was watching the car on it's few laps and judging by its performance and attitude through the corners said that if they get it reliable, they can all go home.