Category: Red Bull Racing

Categories
Formula 1 McLaren Red Bull Racing

2011 Chinese Grand Prix – Post-qualifying press conference

2011 Chinese GP

Sebastian Vettel can do no wrong, it would seem, as he claimed a third pole position for the year with alarming ease. His Red Bull Racing teammate, Mark Webber, can do nothing right. Meanwhile, McLaren pair Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton are left to fight over Vettel’s scraps.

The 2010 world champion saved his best for Q3 in China yesterday and posted a time of 1:33.706. Jenson Button, in second, was over seven tenths further back with a best lap of 1:34.421. That was just enough to keep him ahead of Hamilton, who could only manage 1:34.463, despite running one extra quick lap in the final session.

Webber, still plagued by failing KERS issues, did not make it past Q1 and will start the race from 18th on the grid. Webber and Red Bull chose to run the first quali session using only the hard tyres. The team felt they had enough pace to get through and conserve the softs, which are around one second per lap quicker around the Shanghai circuit.

A full list of qualifying results can be seen HERE. The full post-qualifying press conference transcript is available after the break.

[Pic: Red Bull Racing/Getty Images]

UPDATE: Autosport has a good article with Mark Webber discussing his woes so far this weekend.

Continue reading “2011 Chinese Grand Prix – Post-qualifying press conference”
Categories
F1 in pictures Ferrari Formula 1 Lotus McLaren Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing Renault

2011 Malaysian Grand Prix in pictures

2011 Malaysian GP

Already the 2011 Formula One season is looking like it could be a Sebastian Vettel procession. Thankfully, there’s still another 17 races to go; with any luck someone else will get a look in very soon. This weekend in China, perhaps?

Until then, here’s 78 images from the Malaysian Grand Prix to keep you busy.

Continue reading “2011 Malaysian Grand Prix in pictures”
Categories
Formula 1 McLaren Red Bull Racing Renault

2011 Malaysian Grand Prix – Post-race press conference

2011 Malaysian Grand Prix

Another commanding display when it mattered most has seen Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing) claim his second Grand Prix victory of the year in Malaysia today. Most pundits wouldn’t have been surprised by first place, but seeing Jenson Button (McLaren) and Nick Heidfeld (Renault) take the minor placing probably raised a few eyebrows.

The Red Bull cars were again affected by their troublesome KERS. For Mark Webber, the frustration emerged immediately when his KERS failed on his way to the grid. Subsequently he made a poor start and was mid-pack after the first few corners. That he managed to climb his way back to fourth place should be commended.

Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) and Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) have been slugged with a 20 second penalty after the race by stewards as a result of an incident between the pair early in the race. Alonso was lucky enough that the penalty did not affect his sixth placing. However, Hamilton has moved from seventh back to eighth, promoting Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber).

The full transcript from the post-race press conference featuring the first three drivers across the line can be read after the break.

[Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

Continue reading “2011 Malaysian Grand Prix – Post-race press conference”
Categories
Formula 1 McLaren Red Bull Racing

2011 Malaysian Grand Prix – Post-qualifying press conference

2011 Malaysian Grand Prix

Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing) has nailed his third pole position in a row. The young German finished qualifying at the Sepang circuit with a best time of 1:34.870, one tenth faster than Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) who’s quickest lap was 1:34.974.

Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing) could only manage the third fastest lap (1:35.179), despite regularly heading the time sheets during practice.

Crucially for Vettel and Webber they will start the race on the right side of the track. Previously pole position in Malaysia has been on the left side and has been changed at the request of the drivers who think the switch will offer better grip at the start.

The full transcript from the post-quali press conference can be read after the break.

[Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]

Continue reading “2011 Malaysian Grand Prix – Post-qualifying press conference”
Categories
News Red Bull Racing

Red Bull Ring next F1 circuit?

Red Bull Ring

Red Bull Racing got in on the act for April Fool’s Day by releasing plans for a new “Red Bull Ring” racing circuit. Shaped like the company’s famous logo, turns one through four are understood to be known as Horner’s Corners.

To be fair, Red Bull does own the former A1-Ring in Austria, and it will host a round of the German Touring Car series this year. Just don’t start thinking you’ll be seeing this sixty-six turn race track any time soon.

[Pic: F1-Stinger | Thanks to Dave Clarke for the tip]

Categories
F1 in pictures Ferrari Formula 1 Lotus McLaren Mercedes-Benz Red Bull Racing Renault

2011 Australian Grand Prix in pictures

2011 Australian Grand Prix

Making a return to AUSmotive in 2011 is our Grand Prix in pictures series. To kick it off here’s 93 images from the Australian Grand Prix to get you back in the mood for what will be a long and, no doubt, intriguing Formula One season.

Continue reading “2011 Australian Grand Prix in pictures”
Categories
Formula 1 McLaren Red Bull Racing Renault

2011 Australian Grand Prix – Post-race press conference

2011 Australian Grand Prix

Sebastian Vettel capped off a dominant qualifying display with a matching performance in the main race today. Put simply, the Red Bull driver was unstoppable.

Perhaps the most telling demonstration of this lies in the tale of the pit stops, where Vettel required just two stops compared to his teammate, Mark Webber, who munched his way through four sets of the new Pirelli rubber. Off the pace and one extra stop left the hometown hero falling well short of expectations back in fifth place.

Lewis Hamilton finished where he started, which is to say he put in a strong performance and brought his McLaren home in a comfortable second place. This despite a broken undertray which must have caused instability through corners.

Coming home in third was a super impressive Vitaly Petrov in the Lotus Renault GP machine. In many ways the Russian had the quietest race of all, nestled in between his more fancied rivals. It was a great effort and it’s also the first time we’ve seen a Russian on the podium in Formula One.

In breaking news the strong debut performance from Mexico’s Sergio Perez has been thrown into chaos following a decision to disqualify both Sauber C30s for a technical infringement concerning their rear wings. Perez and teammate Kamui Kobayashi finished the race in seventh and eighth places respectively. Perez needing just one tyre stop.

The full transcript from the post-race press conference featuring the first three men can be read after the break.

[Pic: Red Bull Racing/Getty Images]

Continue reading “2011 Australian Grand Prix – Post-race press conference”
Categories
Formula 1 McLaren Red Bull Racing

2011 Australian Grand Prix – Post-qualifying press conference

Mark Webber

A sublime qualifying performance from Sebastian Vettel has left Mark Webber bewildered ahead of the 2011 Australian Grand Prix. The Red Bull Racing duo were expected to close out the front row, but McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton had other ideas splitting the pair on the way to second on the grid.

Vettel’s lap time of 1m 23.529s is the fastest ever lap around Melbourne’s Albert Park circuit. It was also a staggering eight tenths quicker than the best Lewis Hamilton could muster (1m 24.307s). Meanwhile, Webber was close to Lewis, but not close enough in third (1m 24.395s).

The times posted by Red Bull Racing are cloaked with intrigue after it was revealed neither driver had used KERS at all during qualifying. Webber added to the mystery when he stated, “We didn’t run it [KERS] today for reasons we will keep in the team.”

You can read the full transcript from the post-qualifying press conference featuring all three drivers after the break.

[Pic: Red Bull Racing/Getty Images]

Continue reading “2011 Australian Grand Prix – Post-qualifying press conference”
Categories
Formula 1 News Red Bull Racing

If Victoria wasn’t a “nanny state” then Mark could have done this…

Red Bull Racing, hometown heroes, Nov 2010

Red Bull Racing, and most other F1 teams, do public promotion events all over the globe. The idea is simple, take a Formula One car out of its natural habitat, the racetrack, and bring F1 to the people.

It’s about promotion mostly, but it’s also about breaking away from the shackles of everyday life. Most of all, it’s about having fun. At least it should be. People like watching cars go fast and they like watching these highly skilled drivers burn a bit of rubber. Yes, it’s pretty pointless when you think about it, but it’s great to watch.

Last year, Webber controversially declared Victoria a “nanny state” and yesterday proved why. Is it that hard to put a smile on someone’s face? Webber played his part beautifully yesterday when he interacted with the fans that did turn up. But, the Victorian Government bottled it, and in a big way. Honestly, is there a lot to get excited about when an F1 car is harnessed by red tape to a measly 100km/h?

Just look at what the Germans allowed Sebastian Vettel to do in front of the Brandenburg Gates. In Melbourne, you get to pay your road toll and drive an F1 car as if it were a Toyota Camry.

The Western Australians didn’t object to a few donuts at last year’s Festival of Speed at Barbagallo Raceway. Fair enough, that’s on a purpose built circuit you might argue, but even the NSW Government let Mark crack 200km/h crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

After the break you’ll see some video highlights of what the Victorian Government should have let Mark do. What do you think, did the Vics get it right, or waste a golden opportunity?

Continue reading “If Victoria wasn’t a “nanny state” then Mark could have done this…”
Categories
Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Mark Webber’s drive across Bolte Bridge

Yesterday’s “Red Bull Run” across Melbourne’s Bolte Bridge came and went without much fanfare. Victoria’s over officious authorities ensured Mark Webber was unable to exceed the signposted speed limits for his short journey, despite closing all six lanes of traffic.

Webber only had to think of Lewis Hamilton’s troubles in Melbourne last year to know burning some rubber wouldn’t go down too well, either.

For his part, Webber was professional and played his role perfectly, signing autographs for the fans who watched on from Docklands. Speaking at the event Mark said, “It’s good to be back in Australia and in Melbourne in the sunshine.

“The city has gone to a lot of effort to make today’s event possible, so I’d like to thank them and Red Bull. It’s good to be able to say thanks for all the support the local people have offered me during the last few seasons.

“The Melbourne Grand Prix is a special event and one we should be very proud of. Of course, I’m a little biased as an Aussie but I know a lot of the drivers and fans love it too. It was a great way to start the Grand Prix week and hopefully we can finish it with a good result on Sunday.”

There’s more pics after the break. Also included are a pair of videos, the first is the news item from Sports Tonight on OneHD, the other is a fan video featuring snippets of Webber’s interview with Greg Rust.

[Pics: Red Bull Racing/Getty Images]

UPDATE: A new video has been added above.

Continue reading “Mark Webber’s drive across Bolte Bridge”
Categories
Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Red Bull Racing target Vettel and Newey inspired dynasty

Sebastian Vettel and Adrian Newey

Red Bull Racing could be heading for a new Formula One dynasty with two of the sport’s hottest properties agreeing to extend their contracts. Vettel, the youngest man to win an F1 world championship, has been re-signed until 2014. While Newey, designer of three championship winning cars at Williams, McLaren and Red Bull Racing, has also agreed new terms.

In a short statement released by RBR Vettel said, “The reason why I’ll stay until 2014 with Red Bull Racing is that I feel very comfortable in the team. I am proud to be part of the team, and I am proud of what we have archived so far and will achieve together in the future.”

Continue reading “Red Bull Racing target Vettel and Newey inspired dynasty”
Categories
Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

VIDEO: Vettel & Webber talk rear wings and KERS

RBR inner secrets video

Reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel is on hand here to give a brief rundown on the introduction of moveable rear wings and KERS. Both have been thrown into the mix for the 2011 Formula One season. We’ve spoken about these new regulations during the off-season already and it will be very interesting to see how the projected theories pan out during the cut and thrust of racing.

Take the jump to watch the clip.

UPDATE: If you prefer the sound of Mark Webber’s voice you can watch the new YouTube clip added below.

Continue reading “VIDEO: Vettel & Webber talk rear wings and KERS”