Red Bull RB9

Red Bull RB9
Category Formula One
Constructor Red Bull
Designer(s) Adrian Newey
(Chief Technical Officer)
Rob Marshall
(Chief Designer)
Peter Prodromou[1]
(Head of Aerodynamics)
Predecessor Red Bull RB8
Successor Red Bull RB10
Technical specifications[2]
Chassis Carbon fibre composite monocoque.
Suspension (front) Aluminium alloy uprights, carbon-composite double wishbone with springs and anti-roll bar, Multimatic dampers
Suspension (rear) Same as front
Length 5,200 mm (205 in)
Width 1,800 mm (71 in)
Height 950 mm (37 in)
Wheelbase 3,100 mm (122 in)
Engine Renault RS27-2013 2.4 L (146 cu in) V8 (90°). Naturally aspirated, 18,000 RPM limited with KERS, mid-mounted.
Transmission Red Bull Technology 7-speed semi-automatic hydraulic paddle shift gearbox including reverse.
Weight 642 kg (1,415 lb) including driver and fuel
Fuel Total 94.25% 102 RON unleaded gasoline + 5.75% biofuel
Lubricants Total Quartz 7000
Tyres Pirelli P Zero radial dry slick and Pirelli Cinturato intermediate-wet treaded tyres[3]
O.Z. Racing forged magnesium alloy wheels.
Competition history
Notable entrants Infiniti Red Bull Racing
Notable drivers 1. Germany Sebastian Vettel[4]
2. Australia Mark Webber[5]
Debut 2013 Australian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF.Laps
1913241112

The Red Bull RB9 is a racing car designed by Formula One racing team Infiniti Red Bull Racing.[6][7] The car was driven throughout the 2013 Formula One season by (then) three-time World Drivers' Champion Sebastian Vettel and team-mate Mark Webber.[4][5] Sebastian Vettel, in keeping with his tradition of naming his cars, named his RB9 "Hungry Heidi," after German model Heidi Klum.[8] Vettel would ultimately claim the Drivers' Championship title, for the fourth consecutive season, at the Indian Grand Prix, after ten wins during the season. Vettel and Webber also brought the car to the last win and world titles for a V8 and a naturally aspirated engine powered F1 car, marking the end of the V8 and the naturally aspirated engine era of Formula One which began in 1989 when turbocharged engines were banned at that time.

Competition history

In January 2013, Red Bull Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey admitted that development of the RB9 chassis had been put on hold during the second half of the 2012 season so that the team could concentrate on developing its predecessor, the RB8, in order to secure the 2012 World Drivers' and Constructors' Championship titles.[6]

The RB9 had a strong debut in Australia, with Vettel topping both Friday practice sessions,[9][10] before taking pole position in qualifying, ahead of team-mate Webber.[11] Webber suffered a poor start due to a problem with KERS,[12] while Vettel suffered with tyre degradation and finished the race in third place. Webber finished the race in sixth place.[13]

In Malaysia, Vettel went on to win the race, following an order (which he ignored) to let his teammate Webber win the race. In China, Vettel did not set any time in the last session of qualifying, and Webber originally qualified 14th, but moved to the back of the grid for failing to provide a one-litre fuel sample after qualifying. In the race, Webber lost his rear right wheel on lap 15, meanwhile Vettel was almost close to get a podium finish to Lewis Hamilton, finishing 4th with a 0.203 second gap. In Bahrain, Vettel went on to win the race ahead of both Lotus drivers Kimi Räikkönen and Romain Grosjean. The next race at Spain at Catalunya was disappointing for the team; neither driver got onto the podium. In Monaco, Vettel finished 2nd with a fastest lap set on the 77th lap, and Webber finished 3rd. In Canada, Vettel went on to win the race ahead of Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile Webber finished 4th. At the British Grand Prix, Vettel and Webber qualified 3rd and 4th respectively, but on lap 41 of the race, Vettel suffered from a gearbox problem coming to the final turn of the circuit, costing him a victory. The safety car would be deployed, and the race was won by Nico Rosberg. His teammate Webber would finish 2nd. Vettel went on to win at his home race in Germany at Nürburgring. In Hungary Vettel and Webber finished 3rd and 4th respectively. From Belgium to the season-ending race at Brazil, Vettel broke the record for most consecutive wins in a season by a total of 9. Sebastian Vettel would eventually clinch his fourth World Drivers' Championship title at the Indian Grand Prix.

Mark Webber announced his Formula One retirement at the British Grand Prix, and the seat went to fellow Australian Daniel Ricciardo which was confirmed in September.

Mark Webber losing his wheel at the 2013 Chinese Grand Prix

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant Engine Tyres Drivers Grands Prix Points WCC
AUS MAL CHN BHR ESP MON CAN GBR GER HUN BEL ITA SIN KOR JPN IND ABU USA BRA
2013 Infiniti Red Bull Racing Renault RS27-2013 P Germany Sebastian Vettel 3 1 4 1 4 2 1 Ret 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 596 1st
Australia Mark Webber 6 2 Ret 7 5 3 4 2 7 4 5 3 15 Ret 2 Ret 2 3 2

Driver failed to finish the race, but was classified as they had completed greater than 90% of the race distance.

References

  1. "Red Bull Racing Team Member Profile". Infinity-RedBullRacing.com. Red Bull Racing Ltd. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  2. "Red Bull Racing Car". Infinity-RedBullRacing.com. Red Bull Racing Ltd. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  3. Noble, Jonathan; Beer, Matt (11 December 2013). "F1 teams expert enough to avoid early tyre struggles – Ross Brawn". Autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  4. 1 2 Beer, Matt (14 March 2011). "Horner pleased to end Vettel rumours". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  5. 1 2 Beer, Matt (10 July 2012). "Webber will stay with Red Bull Racing for the 2013 Formula 1 season". Autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  6. 1 2 Benson, Andrew (3 January 2013). "Red Bull's Adrian Newey says title wins affecting 2013 preparation". BBC F1. BBC. Retrieved 4 January 2013. [Designer Adrian Newey] said that the challenge of running dual programmes and the necessity to keep developing the 2012 car to the end of the season had delayed work on the 2013 car, the RB9.
  7. Collantine, Keith (18 November 2012). "Red Bull win third constructors' title in a row". F1 Fanatic. Keith Collantine. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  8. Jeleva, Dessislava (14 March 2013). "F1 News - Vettel names RB9 Hungry Heidi". SportPulse. Dessislava Jeleva. Retrieved 8 June 2013.
  9. "Vettel on top in Australia". Formula1.com. Formula One Administration. 15 March 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  10. "Vettel leads Red Bull 1-2 in Melbourne". Formula1.com. Formula One Administration. 15 March 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  11. "Vettel storms to Sunday pole in Australia". Formula1.com. Formula One Administration. 17 March 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  12. Straw, Edd; Beer, Matt (17 March 2013). "Webber hit by telemetry, KERS issues". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  13. "Raikkonen and Lotus triumph in Australia". Formula1.com. Formula One Administration. 17 March 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Red Bull RB9.
Awards
Preceded by
Red Bull RB8
Autosport
Racing Car Of The Year

2013
Succeeded by
Mercedes F1 W05 Hybrid
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