FEBRUARY 3, 2013

Red Bull launches purple RB9

Red Bull has launched their 2013 Formula 1 challenger, the RB9, this morning.

The unveiling has been greatly anticipated, as the competition it eager to see what the team that has won the Constructor's Championship for the past three seasons will do for 2013. Sebastian Vettel is looking for a fourth straight title.

It was announced that the Infiniti auto brand is now the title sponsor for the team.

The most evident elements are that (as shown) it retains a step front nose, and the livery has more of a purple hue than the dark blue of previous years.

Adrian Newey said, œIt™s a tribute to all the hard work of the guys over the winter because we had a very tight championship battle last year. It was difficult trying to continue development of last year™s car while also doing research into the RB9. Obviously it worked for us, but it gave us a very tight timeframe to design and manufacture this car."

œRB9 is an evolutionary ca. Probably the most significant change is not the regulations, but the new Pirelli tyres. We had a quick test with those in practice ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix but in truth we didn™t learn a lot because of the conditions. Pirelli have supplied us data about how the new tyres behave but past experience tells us that it™s only when we go testing that we really find out.

Sebastian Vettel said, "We had a very strong finish last season, but it was hard as the season was so long “ it was important for me to enjoy being home. Pretty soon though I started training again, preparing for the new season and I™m very excited because this is the first time I™ve seen the car in one piece. I™ve seen little bits, but it looks very nice, so now we™ll get to see if it works as expected. I™m excited to get going again, to get back in the car, start testing and then go racing. Then, we™ll finally find out where we are.

Mark Webber said, "The fact that this is my seventh season with the team is a massive advantage. I couldn™t have envisaged it when I joined and it™s hard to believe that you could be with the same Formula One team for seven years, as continuity is not always easy to achieve in this sport."

œI think the way we keep people excited and motivated here is important. It™s quite a small operation, but obviously we™re big on ambition and desire and that makes us perform very well. I™ve really enjoyed the years I™ve had here so far and I can™t wait to get going this season.

Christian Horner said, "The 2012 season was tough and long, but our success was testimony to all the hard work and dedication in the factory. We™re fortunate that we™ve been able to maintain continuity within our group. This is the fifth year that this driver pairing has been together. We™ve got continuity throughout all of the technical teams and all the key areas. I think that™s proof that there is a fierce determination to keep both of those trophies in the cabinet for another year.

Mark Webber will debut the car at Jerez on Tuesday.