Red Bull driver Mark Webber believes team is ready to be contested in 2012 – Formula 1 news
Red Bull driver Mark Webber says that the team is ready to understand the performance cut due to the off-throttle blown diffuser banning for the 2012 season.
Webber explained that the exhaust blown diffuser was a major aspect of the RB7 and Red Bull along with Adrian Newey pioneered it. Other teams were not able to emulate the design and failed to get similar results out of the innovation.
The FIA has banned the off-throttle blown diffuser for the 2012 season and this will definitely change how the car handles. Webber said that getting as much time in the new car is imperative. The Pirelli tyres are now old news, drivers have found a way to
adapt to them, the main aspect now is to understand how the new car behaves to different conditions and environments.
“The characteristics of the RB8 we're looking for is a car that's very driveable,” Webber said. “Which means not only from an engine side, Renault are doing a good job there, but also aerodynamically we need a car that’s functional on all circuits and in
all temperatures.”
Webber also pointed to the loss Red Bull incurred at Silverstone in 2011. The Red Bull car was clearly not as dominant as it had been during the season on a rain hit race day. The race was won by Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso. The low temperature on the day
due to rain caused the Red Bull car to lose its pace.
Webber added that he is very keen to get into the new car as soon as possible to get a feel of how the car will handle. He also said that he will be looking to improve on the poor showing he had in the previous year. Webber only managed to secure a single
Grand Prix win during the season.
“I think off the back of last year many sportsmen or women when you don't get the most out of a situation you always want to come back and improve and do a better job. The bar has been lifted very, very high in the last few seasons and it's the challenge
I'm looking forward to,” said Webber.
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