Red Bull RB5 officially revealed

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The Red Bull RB5 broke cover today – it’s the seventh Formula 1 car of 2009 to be revealed.

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See below for more pictures of the Adrian Newey-designed RB5.

We got a sneak peek of the RB5 last week when Red Bull issued a promotional video which also explains the key technical changes for 2009.

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2009 Formula 1 cars

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Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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63 comments on “Red Bull RB5 officially revealed”

  1. Lustigson
    9th February 2009, 8:36

    This is indeed one of the best-looking cars for 2009. And some interesting features, too: the two long and narrow buldges on the nose cone, the bargeboards (?) just in front of the sidepods, and the very low rear of the sidepods.

    And Vettel and Webber look really tough in those pics, too. ;)

  2. Loki
    9th February 2009, 8:38

    Not bad, certainly looks better in photos than it does in 3D! Could’ve done with more photos, but I guess their budget went on making 3D animations!

    Looks wise, I’d slot it inbetween the Ferrari and McLaren.

  3. The Pitstop - F1 Memorabilia
    9th February 2009, 8:40

    Nice car.
    Its definatley one of the better looking cars this year
    I think Red Bull will be much better in 2009 with Vettel at the wheel of the RB5

  4. Adrian
    9th February 2009, 8:45

    Love it, definately the best looking 09 car (so far, but I don’t see Force India doing better and we may never see Honda’s design)…

    Interesting engine cover design too…

  5. Jordy - The Egg Man
    9th February 2009, 8:53

    Is this how the new RedBull can will look like?….much easier to hold

    But I don’t like the taste of Red Bull….anyway I only drink the sugar free version.

    I wish you all a great week

    jordy

  6. mani
    9th February 2009, 9:03

    I like it too… looks different but interesting! There are really more good looking cars than expected

    1. Ferrari
    2. McLaren
    3. Williams
    4. RedBull
    5. BMW

  7. ukk
    9th February 2009, 9:14

    Looks pretty, yes! Even the oversized front wing somehow fits (might be the photographer’s smart angles though).

    Some key differences I spot:
    * the nose goes really high up. Hope this will be OK for the drivers
    * the sidepods are really slim at the back
    * the front suspension and under the nose -will be interesting to see some more detail
    * The A1-style engine cover

    Hmmm… :-)

  8. Profile Photo

    Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
    9th February 2009, 9:20

    It’s got the sidepod wings too, and flips on the front wing mounted inside the front endplates.

  9. Andrew White
    9th February 2009, 9:28

    According to Autosport, Newey said he had to shift the weight distribution more to the front because of the change to slicks…

    I didn’t realise he meant making a massive front wing!

  10. Jacob
    9th February 2009, 9:36

    is it just me or are the rear wheels much farther back, toward the rear wing than the other 2009 competitors

  11. David
    9th February 2009, 9:38

    Interesting, really, in particular the very high and thin front section.
    One of the best looking, I agree. I hope it is fast too, because it could be a very interesting competition. I don’t like Ferari-McLaren duel to last so long.

  12. Seedy001
    9th February 2009, 10:00

    Overall a good-looking and fairly original design, but thats what you expect from Mr Newey.

    No photos of their diffuser though, huh?!!

    1. Profile Photo

      Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
      9th February 2009, 10:49

      Inevitably, yes!

    2. Scott Joslin
      9th February 2009, 13:44

      Here is the rear diffuser Seedy

      http://premium.f1-live.com/f1/photos-hires/2009/tests23/diapo_102.jpg

  13. bialy
    9th February 2009, 10:00

    Similar to Ferrari.Especially front wing shape and nose.

  14. Rob
    9th February 2009, 10:08

    I think if they went back to the huge rear slicks of the early 90’s then the cars would look the business.

  15. Rod
    9th February 2009, 10:21

    Where are Webber’s crutches?

  16. ben
    9th February 2009, 10:24

    Has anyone else noticed the little pod under the belly of the car just ahead of the splitter? Looks like it might be purely for ballast!

  17. mattclinch
    9th February 2009, 10:43

    non-independant rear suspension? an exhaust that exits immediatley under the rear wishbone? base of the rear wing attached to the diffuser?

    newey never disappoints!……

  18. Profile Photo

    Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
    9th February 2009, 10:55

    The press kit is being uploaded to the drop.io as I write this…

  19. Scott Joslin
    9th February 2009, 11:02

    Ben apparently on F1 Technical forums, some people think that pod is a lazer ride hight sensor and apparently Ferrari used one a couple of years ago but we could not see it for all the bardge boards.

    That rear suspension is very interesting though!

  20. Yorricksfriend
    9th February 2009, 11:12

    The rear wing sideplates, I can’t remember the proper term for them, they seem to go down further than on any of the other 09 cars

    1. mattclinch
      9th February 2009, 11:28

      the endplates attach to the top of the rear diffuser, which is a fantastic design exploitation.

    2. Yorricksfriend
      9th February 2009, 15:50

      so thats the thinking behind that, thanks

  21. liquidmetal99
    9th February 2009, 11:30

    looks pretty neat! theyve always had the better aesthetic sense out of the lot :)

  22. Stealthman
    9th February 2009, 12:02

    Looks pretty good. I’d say it looks more “lean” than the other cars which does a lot for the aesthetics.

  23. Damon
    9th February 2009, 12:06

    I was hoping for at least one car having a low nose this year :(

  24. DG
    9th February 2009, 12:08

    Isn’t the nose really narrow – you wouldn’t think there was any strength there!
    These studio pics make it look like a model kit – stick a large whip aerial on it and its an R/C car :-)

    1. John H
      9th February 2009, 13:28

      Indeed. I can’t understand the trade off for having such slender members – ok the wind tunnel tests give optimal speed, but in a race, these are just going to break after even the slightest of nudges.

      Perhaps 0.01secs a lap, but I think the balance is going to cost them.

    2. Profile Photo

      Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
      9th February 2009, 14:07

      Yeah especially if you compare it to the Renault’s.

      slender members

      Wow. I really hope that phrase doesn’t catch on.

    3. Yorricksfriend
      9th February 2009, 15:52

      HAHA well now that you’ve said that Keith there’s a possibility it might

    4. DG
      9th February 2009, 17:20

      slender members – the drivers surely?

  25. ajokay
    9th February 2009, 12:34

    This car is beautiful, easily the best looking of the year. And I can’t see the Force India beating it.

  26. sumedh
    9th February 2009, 12:46

    Beautiful car; but as always, other teams will start stealing ideas from RB5.

  27. Arthur954
    9th February 2009, 13:29

    I wish they would ban those aero wheel covers, so that the wheels could be painted in any colour

  28. Graham
    9th February 2009, 13:33

    Great looking car, still think the mclaren has the edge on it though in the looks department. Just hope the RB car is fast and reliable straight out of box, will be nice to see them mixing it with mclaren and ferrari.

  29. John H
    9th February 2009, 13:34

    nice vent ‘zip’ around the base of the side pods! Is this legal?

    1. John H
      9th February 2009, 13:46

      My bad – I think it might just be the patterning catching the light

  30. Profile Photo

    Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
    9th February 2009, 14:19

    New pictures of the car on-track added above.

  31. Chaz
    9th February 2009, 15:26

    It looks sleek slim and fast with a long thin javelin like nose…

  32. Nick
    9th February 2009, 15:45

    Looks nice.

  33. David
    9th February 2009, 16:03

    Work on the track lets you have more details on setup, understand immediatelly mistakes in designing, discover first develop areas and comprare with other teams.
    Work at home lets you refine design choices, rely on optimized gallery and experimental data, copy the others while not being copied and having more space to develop the car towards the end of the season.

    My decision would be case by case. If my team had a promising breakthrough idea I’d accept to manifacture the car later…

  34. StrFerrari4Ever
    9th February 2009, 16:07

    Wow i have to say Red Bull have done an amazing job its so beautiful and from reading the aerodynamic points made on f1 websites Newey has done it again very innovative i hope the other teams dont take advantage of it and benefit more then RBR and interesting point that they can cool their engine better cause of those 2 opening flaps im just waiting now for the STR4 hopefully Red Bull can do the same thing with the cooling for STR since the Ferrari engine will need a lot of cooling i cant wait this season is shaping up to be one for the history books wait till you see the STR4 you will all be amazed mark my words

  35. Eddie Irvine
    9th February 2009, 16:39

    Does anyone know any site with today’s testing photoes and times in jerez??

    1. Scott Joslin
      9th February 2009, 17:02

      Here for photos: http://premium.f1-live.com/f1/photos-hires/2009/team-redbull/

      Not sure about times, I think it was a closed “private” Test. The other teams arrive tomorrow – correct me if I am wrong guys.

    2. Eddie Irvine
      9th February 2009, 17:16

      Thanks scott

    3. Profile Photo

      Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
      9th February 2009, 17:18

      Yep there’s more teams testing tomorrow. Schedule here: F1 Fanatic Calendar

  36. Captain Caveman
    9th February 2009, 16:49

    After looking at the car, I would have to say that it is very attractive and the most pleasing on the eye so far.

    One thing that comes to mind is that of what seems to be a very very high nose… it would appear that the drivers feet will be above their hips so I can see this being a very tiring car to drive.

    In fact I seem to recall that Brundell referenced many years ago driving a Adrian Newey car and having to stop because of exhaustion due to lack of circulation to his feet.

    Anyone else recall this?

  37. COTY
    9th February 2009, 17:08

    i like this one.. !! dont so keen on any of the others but we will see what happens :)

    1. Mandev theorum
      9th February 2009, 17:12

      I completely agree with you there, Hertforshire COTY 2009. Well done. Good analysis.

  38. PJA
    9th February 2009, 17:31

    For me in the looks department it is probably mid table of the ones launched so far. It has those side pod deflectors which I have never liked the look of, and while they don’t use them to mount the mirrors like Ferrari and Toyota have, I prefer the mirrors in a more traditional position. Also the nose seems a bit too high and narrow for my liking.

    I don’t know if it is just the paint job, but although the side pods do curve in at the rear (the coke bottle I believe some call it), the side pods don’t seem to curve in vertically going downwards like some others cars, (if that makes sense), Is it just my eyes playing tricks on me or have others noticed this.

    If the RB5 is reliable I wouldn’t be surprised if they managed to get some good results this year, as Adrian Newey has a history of taking advantage of rule changes the best, but often of being close to the margins in terms of reliability.

  39. Lee
    9th February 2009, 17:38

    Reminds me of the mid-90’s Williams’s that Newey designed, well, the slim-ish nose cone does anyway. This car certainly looks fast, unlike the BMW, the Toyota and the Renault.

  40. Damon
    9th February 2009, 17:45

    Lee:
    “This car certainly looks fast, unlike the BMW, the Toyota and the Renault.”

    It’s funny you say this, as the Red Bull car looks almost the same as Toyota – only uglier… in every detail.

    1. Yorricksfriend
      10th February 2009, 1:26

      At least the Red Bull has a decent livery

  41. Mandev theorum
    9th February 2009, 18:28

    Vettel’s helmet looks slightly different..

  42. NickO
    9th February 2009, 22:34

    Y’know, I don’t care who drives it, I want this car to win.

    It reminds me that a vital part of the interest in F1 is tied up in the design, inovation, and the uniqueness of each car. The idea that “the fans don’t care” is bollocks.

    I dread the day when we have common engines, and common chassis- All we’ll be left with is pretty boys in glossy F1 coffee table magazines spouting banal PR-speak.

  43. Pink Peril
    10th February 2009, 1:04

    This is one hot looking car ! Let’s hope that looks translate into performance as I would dearly love to see Webber on the top step of the podium this year.

  44. dmw
    10th February 2009, 1:28

    One person has noted the drop-tank shaped ballast under the nose. This strikes me as typical Newey thinking out of the box. However, is anyone concerned that the car will be carrying a tungsten missile with nothing to impede its launch from the car during and accident? This is “Death-Race 2000” type hardware. Lets hope Newey has figured out now to lock that thing down or have it dissipate its energy before breaking free. Because, unfortunately we know that Newey’s most brilliant designs, for McLaren or for RedBull, have been curiously frail.

  45. Gman
    10th February 2009, 1:43

    Best-looking car on the grid so far- worlds ahead of the Renault…..

    RBR also did by far the best job on making the rear wing look good- it reminds me very much of the in-store product, which must be a good thing for what they call “brand recognition” :)

  46. z3132432
    10th February 2009, 3:16

    Its not a ballast, its a sensor pod used for years, but hidden by barge boards, radar for measuring ground speed and such…

  47. the limit
    10th February 2009, 3:53

    How do you say in French ‘we chose the wrong colour scheme for our racing cars’ please? Red Bull have done a good job, nice looking car, easy on the eye, with the traditional paint scheme that is by far the best of them all. Good work Adrian!

  48. Jay
    10th February 2009, 9:35

    Very Nice.

    Lets hope it can provide Vettel a couple wins this year eh?

  49. anirudh
    10th February 2009, 11:53

    F1 cars usually used to look more dominating than any other open wheeled racing cars, but from this year they have started to look a lot puny…..

Comments are closed.