Featuring a striking new test livery, the RB11 features a host of improvements in all areas as the team seeks to improve on its 2014 campaign, when it took the RB10 from a difficult start to second place in the Constructors’ Championship. The most notable shape change to this year’s car is the lower nose box and front of the chassis, which were amended in line with the latest regulations, but beyond that many of the RB11’s updates are under its all–new black and white skin.
Christian Horner commented: “We’ve been pushing to the limit as usual. We had a very tight timescale for the car to be prepared in time for the first test, but that’s normal in this team.
If you’re not on the limit you’re not trying hard enough.”
THE DRIVERS The team’s 2015 challenge will be spearheaded by a new look Red Bull driver line-up, introduced last week at the team’s #OnBoard event, with Daniil Kvyat joining Daniel Ricciardo at the wheel of the RB11.
“It’s an exciting and dynamic line-up,” says Christian. “We know the quality of Daniel following his performances last year and in Daniil we have an outstanding talent. The speed, commitment and determination he demonstrated were all the qualities we’re looking for.
“We’ve already seen what Daniel is capable of and we firmly believe that Dany has all the same attributes,” he adds. “They’re young, hungry, they’re incredibly quick and I think they are going to push each other very hard throughout the year.”
For drivers Ricciardo and Kvyat the brief two-month wait for a return to the cockpit is over and a first taste of the RB11’s potential awaits.
“I’m looking forward to driving the RB11 and I’m hanging out to get behind the wheel again. I hope it’s going to be a beast. We’ll soon find out,” says Daniel.
“There was plenty of pressure on me last year to prove myself in a top team and I think everyone knows now what I’m capable of so I’m excited – excited to build on what we achieved in 2014 and ready to give Mercedes a good fight.”
“It’s going to be very exciting to drive an Infiniti Red Bull Racing car for the first time for me,” adds Daniil. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for me and I’m really looking forward to finally getting into the car. It’s going to be cool.
“Though many people in the team know me quite well, there is still the challenge of entering a new team for myself. However, I haven’t really set any targets for 2015. I just want to keep doing the best job possible with hard work and the right attitude and that’s the best thing I can do.”
On joining forces with Daniel for 2015, Kvyat added: “Me and Daniel have known each other for quite a long time, about five or six years from when I entered the Red Bull Junior Team. We have a good relationship and I hope to have a strong relationship based on healthy competition, which will push the team forward.”