Red Bull in pursuit of Mercedes

Team launches new car in hopes of closing down gap on their rivals


Afp February 01, 2015
Sporting an unusual camouflage livery, the Red Bull completed more laps in the first hour on track than they managed on the first day of a disastrous first test last season. PHOTO: AFP

JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA: Red Bull team principal Christian Horner wants to give Mercedes more of a run for their money in 2015 after launching the new RB11 on the season's first day of testing in Jerez on Sunday.

Sporting an unusual camouflage livery, the Red Bull completed more laps in the first hour on track than they managed on the first day of a disastrous first test last season.

That was a sign of things to come for the four-time constructors' champions as despite finishing second they were nearly 300 points behind Mercedes, for whom Lewis Hamilton sealed his second world championship.

"Our target is simple: to close down the gap on Mercedes yet further and put them under pressure," said Horner. "We were the only team other than Mercedes to win a grand prix in 2014 and we won three with Daniel Ricciardo.”

Ricciardo's debut season with the team was the bright spark in 2014 as he beat four-time world champion teammate Sebastian Vettel to finish third in the drivers' standings.

With Vettel having moved on to Ferrari, 20-year-old Russian Daniil Kyvat will partner Ricciardo this season.

"It's an exciting and dynamic line-up," added Horner. "We know the quality of Ricciardo following his performances last year and in him we have an outstanding talent.”

Ricciardo was given the honour of driving the new car on Sunday and is determined to not rest on his laurels after a breakthrough year. "There was plenty of pressure on me last year to prove myself in a top team and I think everyone knows now what I'm capable of so I'm excited to build on what we achieved in 2014 and ready to give Mercedes a good fight."

Kyvat has just one full season of Formula One racing under his belt, finishing 15th in the drivers' standings with Toro Rosso in 2014.

And, whilst he recognised the demands will be much higher at Red Bull, he refused to set any tangibile targets for the new campaign.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for me and I'm really looking forward to finally getting into the car.

"However, I haven't really set any targets for 2015. I just want to keep doing the best job possible."

Rosberg ahead of the pack in testing

Mercedes began the 2015 Formula One campaign in the dominant fashion they became accustomed to last season as Nico Rosberg went fastest in the morning session on the first day of testing in Jerez yesterday.

The German racked up 60 laps, registering a fastest time of one minute 23:106 seconds, ahead of Ricciardo in the Red Bull and Sauber's Markus Ericcson.

 

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