Oracle Red Bull Racing unveiled today their 2022 Formula 1 car, the RB18 with which Max Verstappen will defend his F1 Drivers’ Crown, while carrying the number ‘1’.
Red Bull became the second team to reveal their 2022 charger after Haas last week revealed the first ever F1 car built to the 2022 aero regulations.
The countdown to the launch event was kicked off by TAG Heuer, coinciding with the launch of the TAG Heuer Red Bull Racing Special Edition Formula 1 watch.
The energy drinks outfit will be looking to be competing at the sharp of the grid as well, after being locked down in a tense title fight with Mercedes, winning the F1 Drivers’ Title with Max Verstappen, while the Constructors’ Trophy went to their rivals.
With the raft of changes changes to the technical regulations this year, no one team can be certain how well they will perform until the new cars run in anger in pre-season testing, with the pecking order clearly identified at the end of the first qualifying session of the season at season opener in Bahrain starting March 18, with the race being on March 20.
However, the Austrian team will be confident as their latest F1 creation is the brainchild of their Chief Technical Officer, Adrian Newey, one of the most decorated designers in F1.
What Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez said
The 2021 F1 World Champion Max Verstappen spoke of his expectations and preparations for the new season, the car he will use to defend his maiden F1 Title.
“I’m feeling recharged and ready to get driving again, I feel good and it’s important that you prepare yourself in the best way possible physically, particularly when things are changing with the shakeup in regulations,” he said.
“In terms of the car, we don’t know what to fully expect so I’m excited to see how the car behaves on the track for the first time. The biggest adaptation this season will be the new regulations, we’ll need some time to get used to the car, it is not like you just jump in and it’s an upgrade from last year.
“The rest is pretty straightforward, I don’t feel any extra pressure this season, I will just do what I do all the time because I don’t think there is any reason to be different.
“Now I just I can’t wait for that first moment when I drive out of the pitlane in the RB18,” he concluded.
His teammate Sergio Perez, who will start his second season with the team said: “I am so excited to start the new season and I cannot wait to be on track with the new RB18.
“All of us on the grid are starting from zero this season so it is set to be an exciting year. Last year, we gave it our all until the very last lap and we are ready to do the same in 2022. The new regulations are said to improve the competition on track, so I hope that for us as drivers we can compete more, race more and follow each other more closely.
“There will be a lot of things we need to learn and adapt to but these new regulations are set to make everything very interesting. One thing I can’t wait for this season is to see more fans back at the track, Formula One is growing so much all over the world so I can’t wait to feel that atmosphere again.
“I hope that we can give the fans great entertainment and great racing,” the Mexican concluded.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner also had this to say
Oracle Red Bull Racing’s team principal Christian Horner spoke of his expectations and challenges in the new season, on the back of a very tense season for the team in 2021.
“With the new regulation changes this year, the whole philosophy has altered, which means every single component is different to last year’s car,” he said.
“It’s a clean sheet of paper for every single team. By the time we get to the first race, the RB18 won’t look much like it looks today, the evolution will be very quick as we progress through the season. It is a steep learning curve for everyone and it is a contest in development between the first and the last race.
“We believe we have a good car for 2022, the RB18 is coming to life and seeing it today is fantastic. It has been a huge effort from the Team and I am looking forward to seeing it out on the track now. We plan to build on 2021, we have number one on the car this year and now the challenge is it keep it and defend that title with Max.
“The excitement and hard work of 2021 really galvanised the Team and it means we go into 2022 in great shape for the season ahead,” the Briton concluded.
Oracle becomes Red Bull Racing’s Title Sponsor
Red Bull also announced during the launch that Oracle will become a the team’s title sponsor starting the 2022 F1 season, with the team’s name becoming “Oracle Red Bull Racing”.
Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Principal and CEO Christian Horner, said: “Oracle Cloud enabled us to make race-day decisions that helped Max Verstappen win the 2021 Drivers’ Championship. Discovering and reacting to opportunities quickly, is crucial to our success on and off the track, and Oracle is integral in that effort. Every element of our performance is driven by data analysis. Having Oracle as our title partner shows the confidence we have in their expertise and their ability to deliver a true competitive advantage.”
Oracle Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Ariel Kelman, said: “Red Bull Racing has been more committed than any other F1 team in its use of technology to gain an edge, and it is paying off. Our commitment to this partnership reflects our belief that OCI is a strategic weapon on race day, helps create the most exciting fan experience in sports, and can define the future of F1. Oracle Red Bull Racing is, and will continue to be, the most forward-thinking and innovative F1 team in the world.”
Report in progress…