Red Bull to make early start on 2018 car development
According to Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull has brought forward the development of its 2018 Formula 1 car in an attempt to avoid another slow season opening.
The team has, in recent years, left it as late as possible to complete the design of its new car each winter, in order to allow for maximum development time. An earlier start on development is expected to allow the team to be in contention for Grand Prix wins right from the start of the 2018 season, and avoid the struggles faced by Red Bull at the start of this year.
“I always feel our starts to the season have been slow, particularly since I’ve been with the team but it’s, as far as I’m aware, not planned,” explained Ricciardo.
“I’m not sure why exactly. We definitely get stronger – it’s a nice trend to get better and better but we’d like to start better… We always feel like we start on next year’s car early enough but maybe what we think is early isn’t early enough. I know for next year it’s been brought forward more than it was for this year.”
Ricciardo’s team mate, Max Verstappen, concurred with the Australian’s comments. “I think just some different things in procedures, maybe not so late with the car in terms of bringing it out,” Verstappen said.
“They have learned from what happened also this year, with the new regulations. I am very confident that next year it will be a lot better from the start already.”
