Red Bull Launch RB3

The first Adrian Newey designed Red Bull was launched earlier today with much anticipation. Launched at Spain’s main testing circuit and host of their Grand Prix – Circuit de Catalunya – the RB3 has been designed from a blank sheet of paper by the man responsible for countless victories and championships with Williams and McLaren.

While the launch was low-key, both drivers hope that the new 2007 challenger will raise the team above the mid-field standard and both drivers have their eyes set firmly on the big manufacturers, namely BMW, Toyota and Honda.

Australia’s Mark Webber – who joins the team after a woeful 2006 season with Williams – is buoyed about the upcoming season, and admits that while his motivation was challenged in the previous two years, is now itching to get back into the fighting spirit with his new team.

I’d say I’ve been quite motivated to get fit, which in the last few years was there but maybe wasn’t as intense as it has been in the last few months – which is good for me because it shows my general excitement for the whole campaign basically. I am refreshed, I’m different at home apparently! I’m excited.

The feeling in the team is good and everyone’s got a spring in their step. It’s an exciting young team – obviously it’s been around with Stewart and Jaguar but it’s still quite young. We’re going up against big manufacturers but we want to get amongst those guys and that’s what we’re here for, to go out and make a difference. Mark Webber.

David Coulthard was a little more realistic in his predictions for 2007, but confirmed he still has the determination to succeed with Red Bull.

The first step has to be to get out of the back division, which is where we’ve been for the last two years, and trying to get into the middle division, which means beating manufacturer teams which have been around for longer than the Red Bull organisation. That has to be the goal, I believe it’s achievable. Only time will tell whether this car can deliver or not. David Coulthard.

David also gave us a little taste of some of the technical knowledge he has picked up in his many years of competition.

The Renault engine is proven, but it’s not proven strapped to the back of a Red Bull, so we need to go through those growing pains of getting the electronic boxes to talk to each other, cooling and all those sorts of things. David Coulthard.

I’m sure Red Bull Racing are steering themselves in the right direction. They have acquired the services of quite possibly one of the world’s finest aerodynamicists, they have strapped a Renault to the back of it and they appear to have re-motivated Mark Webber, who in turn will keep Coulthard on his toes. While it may not be enough for this season, I’m sure Red Bull will continue their pursuit and one day step on the top step of the podium on merit.