Newey F1's Aero Artist On Its New Aero Era

The Red Bull design guru can see some interesting elements in the new rulebook.

- Edd Straw

Aerodynamic regulation changes? More downforce? Increased design freedom? The 2017 season is surely custom made for Adrian Newey and Red Bull. Last time there was a major aerodynamic rule change, in 2009, Red Bull transformed itself from a PR-fuelled team of great potential and patchy results into a winning operation.

It’s no surprise that conventional wisdom confidently predicts, provided the Renault engine doesn’t let down the RB13, that it should be right up there with (if not ahead of) Mercedes’ W08. But, of course, things are never that straightforward and it’s simplistic to say that the regulations represent a cast-iron guarantee of anything.

The early stages of testing weren’t easy for Red Bull: the RB13 ground to a halt with a crankshaft trigger-sensor problem early on, then suffered a battery failure when Daniel Ricciardo returned to the track in the afternoon of day one. It still managed 50 laps, setting a reasonable but unspectacular pace. As the Australian put it, “today is a little bit of a tease”, with more to come. That applies not just to performance, but also to aerodynamic components on a car that is noticeably less elaborate in that area than the Mercedes or Ferrari. Expect the car to look a little different come the season-opening Australian Grand Prix later this month.

But don’t expect miracles. While the regulations are different – wider cars, lower rear wings, more freedom in the bargeboard area– the cars aren’t revolutionary.