Red Bull Racing to Launch RB5 in February

Red Bull Racing have ended speculation and announced that the new RB5 model will make its track debut on February 9th, at Jerez. Christian Horner revealed that his team has taken more time to develop their 2009-spec car in order to make sure the machinery will be optimized within the regulation changes.

“Our strategic plan has always been to take full advantage of the later start to the 2009 season and we are using the time to ensure we have optimized the car as much as possible, within the regulation changes, to start on the grid in Melbourne,” confirmed Horner.

Rumors within the F1 paddock have emerged on the possibility that RBR would unveil the RB5 car later in March. Sebastien Buemi allegedly told French newspaper L'Equipe that Red Bull are to launch their cars only weeks before the Australian Grand Prix in an effort to reduce costs. With RBR and Scuderia Toro Rosso using the same 'bodies' in 2009, it was assumed that the two teams will present their 2009 cars at the same time.

However, Toro Rosso is yet to announce their car launch for the upcoming season. They should probably find themselves some drivers first, but that's a different kettle of fish. Red Bull Racing, on the other hand, will benefit from brand new, more powerful engines from Renault, following the power boost granted by the FIA to the French manufacturer last month.

Mark Webber will therefore have the opportunity to resume testing with his team only 2 weeks after he will have been fully recovered from his leg injury. According to his medical staff, the Australian should be fit to begin testing as early as the 3rd week of January.

Toro Rosso and Force India have now remained the only two F1 teams to officially announce their car track debut ahead of the 2009 season. Vijay Mallya's team are believed to launch the new car in March, as announced by racing driver Adrian Sutil just before Christmas.