Red Bull RB4

Racing car
Car_name = Red Bull RB4


Category = Formula One
Constructor = Red Bull Racing
Designer = flagicon|UK Adrian Newey
smaller|(Chief Technical Director)
flagicon|UK Geoff Willis
smaller|(Technical Director)
Team = Red Bull Racing
Drivers = 9. flagicon|UK David Coulthard
10. flagicon|Australia Mark Webber
Chassis = Carbon-fibre and honeycomb composite monocoque
Front suspension = Aluminium alloy uprights, upper and lower carbon wishbones and pushrods, torsion bar springs and anti roll bars, Multimatic dampers.
Rear suspension = Aluminium alloy uprights, upper and lower carbon wishbones and pushrods, torsion bar springs and anti roll bars, Multimatic dampers
Engine name = Renault RS27-2008
Capacity = 2400cc
Configuration = V8,
Turbo/NA = naturally aspirated,
Engine position = mid-engine, longitudinally mounted, 19,000 RPM Limited
Gearbox name =
Gears = 7-speed
Type = hydraulic power shift
Differential =
Fuel = Elf
Tyres = Bridgestone PotenzaOZ Racing Front: 12.0 to 12.7in x 13in Wheels OZ Racing Rear: 13.7in x 13in Wheels
Debut = 2008 Australian Grand Prix
Races = 15
Wins = 0
Cons_champ =
Drivers_champ =
Poles = 0
Fastest_laps = 0
The Red Bull RB4 is a Formula One racing car with which the Red Bull Racing team are contesting the 2008 Formula One season.

Launch

The RB4 is the team's second Adrian Newey-designed car; this car has had the help of Geoff Willis whom the team had recruited from Honda in 2007. The car includes the Renault R27-2008 engine, the second year the Renault engine has powered the Red Bull team.

The car was launched at the Jerez Cuircit on the 16th of January 2008,cite news| title =Red Bull launches RB4 in Jerez| publisher =http://f1.gpupdate.net/en/news/2008/01/16/red-bull-launches-rb4-in-jerez/| date =| accessdate =|] the same day the RB4 was taken for its first shakedown laps by driver David Coulthard,cite news| title =Red Bull happy with new car shakedown| publisher =http://f1.gpupdate.net/en/news/2008/01/16/red-bull-happy-with-new-car-shakedown/| date =| accessdate =|] Mark Webber got his first taste of the RB4 at the Valencia Circuit on 24th of January 2008, who described the car as "Encouraging" and "a big step forward".cite news| title =Webber happy with first taste of RB4| publisher =http://f1.gpupdate.net/en/news/2008/01/24/webber-happy-with-first-taste-of-rb4/| date =| accessdate =|]

Technical developments

As all team have to conform to the new set of 2008 regulations, the RB4 has the new standard electronic control unit, produced by McLaren Electronic Systems, that aims to prevent the use of driver aids such as traction control and engine braking.

At the February 1 test at Barcelona, the RB4 sported a radical new fin shaped engine cover.cite news| title =Red Bull tests revolutionary new engine cover| publisher =f1technical.net| url =http://www.f1technical.net/news/8163| date =| accessdate =|] This is part of the first part of the aerodynamic package changes that most teams will make before the opening round in Australia. Webber drove the RB4 with the "Shark Fin"; Coulthard however took out a more normal shaped RB4.

2008 season

Testing

The RB4 has been a contender for "the best of the rest" title in testing for the 2008 season, with both Webber and Coulthard topping the timesheets.cite news| title =Webber fastest on final day| publisher =http://f1.gpupdate.net/en/news/2008/02/03/webber-fastest-on-final-day/| date =| accessdate =|] cite news| title =http://www.f1technical.net/news/8240| publisher =http://www.f1technical.net/news/8240| date =| accessdate =|]

However both drivers have had a couple of small incidents, with Coulthard "kissing the wall" between turns 7 and 8 at the Circuit de Catalunya on the 19th of February 2008,cite news| title =Minor damage for Coulthard after kissing the wall| publisher =http://www.f1technical.net/news/8294| date =| accessdate =|] and Webber having some minor kerb damage on the monocoque, which could "not be repaired in time to resume testing" on his first day driving the RB4.cite news| title =Red Bull hit by new car kerb damage| publisher =http://f1.gpupdate.net/en/news/2008/01/24/red-bull-hit-by-new-car-kerb-damage/| date =| accessdate =|]

Even considering the setbacks and competitive times, the team and both drivers have been making sure but steady progress throughout the 2008 testing season, optimising the RB4 to the new rules and regulations. The team are pleased with the car's performance through the testing season before the season opener in Melbourne.cite news| title =Red Bull pleased with car pace and reliability| publisher =http://f1.gpupdate.net/en/news/2008/02/29/red-bull-pleased-with-car-pace-and-reliability/| date =| accessdate =|]

Vettel testing RB4

Toro Rosso driver Sebastian Vettel had the opportunity of testing the RB4 at the Barcelona test between the 18th and the 20th of February 2008 as Coulthard had a trapped nerve. Vettel tested the car on the 19th, the middle day of testingcite news| title =Vettel fills in for injured Coulthard| publisher =f1technical.net| url =http://www.f1technical.net/news/8338| date =| accessdate =|] .

Vettel completed 109 laps, and came in 7th with a time of 1:22.558, the same day Webber came in 17th with a time of 1:23.458 after doing 58 laps, the top driver that day was Lewis Hamilton in a McLaren-Mercedes with a time of 1:21.234 after 81 laps completed.cite news| title =Hamilton remains on top| publisher =f1technical.net| url =http://www.f1technical.net/news/8339| date =| accessdate =|]

Complete Formula One results

()* Season in progress

References

External links

* [http://www.redbullf1.com Official Website]
* [http://www.f1technical.net/news/8017 Technical Specs of the RB4]