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Red Bull RB5 Debuts with Gearbox Problems

Red Bull Racing did not have the perfect start in terms of testing their 2009 machinery, the Red Bull RB5. The 2009 challenger was supposed to hit the track at Jerez yesterday, with Sebastian Vettel making his first appearance for RBR this year, but a gearbox problem put an end to its first testing session after only 14 laps.

It seems the problem with the gearbox was oil-related, as the oil temperature was higher than normal. The team didn't want to rick anything and decided to stop the first testing session of the year.

“Unfortunately we haven't achieved what was on the schedule. We were hoping for more mileage but for precautionary reasons, to save the parts and the car, we decided to stop,” said racing driver Sebastian Vettel after his short run on Monday.

“The gearbox oil temperature went high and we did not know why, so we decided to stop. It takes quite some time to take the gearbox off, especially when the car is new and the mechanics are not yet in the rhythm. During the season we will be much quicker, but now everything is new,” added the German driver.

Needless to say, the Red Bull Racing newcomer did not get to make a first impression on the car's performances on track, especially since the little mileage he did manage to complete were not focused on full-speed testing. He will be back in the cockpit later today, before being replaced by teammate Mark Webber for the Wednesday and Thursday sessions. It will be the Aussie's first testing sessions with Red Bull Racing following his leg injury in November 2008.
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