Red Bull to Launch RB7 Before Valencia Test

Red Bull's RB7 challenger, the one which the Austrian team hopes to build on the immense success experience by the RB6 during the course of the recently ended F1 campaign, will be up and ready by the first test of the off-season. The news was revealed by world champion Sebastian Vettel and, as expected, it bears nothing official, but only a hint on when the 2010 challenger will be ready for track debut.

“Right now it looks like our car will be ready on time,” said the newly-crowned world champion in a recent interview with German daily Hamburger Abendblatt. “The first test is planned for early February in Valencia,” he added.

It was initially reported that Adrian Newey is late in developing the Red Bull RB7 for next season, given the fact that his team had to fight for both championships in 2010 (both won, eventually) until the last chequered flag. Consequently, several updates were needed for the RB6 to be able to secure both titles, something that Newey was more focused on rather than the car's successor.

Last season, Red Bull was one of the teams who were late in launching their 2010 challenger, due to the same problem. The team was so focused on the 2009 campaign that they began work on the RB6 rather late. Additionally, Newey's attention to detail was also a factor in the team's long development process.

Until now, only two teams have confirmed launch dates before the official kick-off of the winter testing, due to start in Valencia, February 1-3. Scuderia Toro Rosso revealed, though its spokesman, that the STR6 will be ready for action on the Ricardo Tormo circuit in early February, while Sauber F1 Team confirmed the launch of its C30 single-seater will take place on January 31st.