Red Bull RB9
Sebastian Vettel driving the RB9 at the 2013 Malaysian Grand Prix
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorRed Bull
Designer(s)Adrian Newey (Chief Technical Officer)
Rob Marshall (Chief Designer)
Steve Winstanley (Chief Engineer, Composites and Structures)
Dave Worner (Chief Engineer, Mechanics and Suspension)
Mark Ellis (Chief Engineer, Performance)
Giles Wood (Chief Engineer, Simulation and Analysis)
Peter Prodromou (Chief Engineer, Aerodynamics)
Dan Fallows (Chief Aerodynamicist)
PredecessorRed Bull RB8
SuccessorRed Bull RB10
Technical specifications[1]
ChassisCarbon fibre Composite monocoque structure, designed and built in-house, carrying the Renault V8 engine as a fully-stressed member.
Suspension (front)Aluminium alloy uprights, carbon-composite double wishbone with springs and anti-roll bar, multi-matic dampers
Suspension (rear)Same as front
Length5,080 mm (200 in)
Width1,800 mm (71 in)
Height950 mm (37 in)
Wheelbase3,100 mm (122 in)
EngineMecachrome-built Renault RS27-2013 2.4 L (146 cu in) V8 (90°). Naturally aspirated, 18,000 rpm limited with KERS, mid-mounted.
TransmissionRed Bull Technology
Seven-speed, longitudinally mounted with hydraulic system for power shift and clutch operation. AP racing clutch. semi-automatic hydraulic paddle shift gearbox including reverse.
Power750 hp (560 kW)[2]
Weight642 kg (1,415 lb) including driver and fuel
FuelTotal 94.25% 102 RON unleaded gasoline + 5.75% biofuel
LubricantsTotal Quartz 7000
BrakesBrembo callipers. Carbon discs and pads
TyresPirelli P Zero radial dry slick and Pirelli Cinturato intermediate-wet treaded tyres[3]
O.Z. Racing forged magnesium alloy wheels.front: 12.0in x 13in diam., rear: 13.7in x 13in diam.
Competition history
Notable entrantsInfiniti Red Bull Racing
Notable drivers1. Germany Sebastian Vettel[4]
2. Australia Mark Webber[5]
Debut2013 Australian Grand Prix
First win2013 Malaysian Grand Prix
Last win2013 Brazilian Grand Prix
Last event2013 Brazilian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF/Laps
1913241112
Constructors' Championships1 (2013)
Drivers' Championships1 (Sebastian Vettel, 2013)

The Red Bull RB9 is a Formula One racing car designed by Adrian Newey for Red Bull Racing to compete in the 2013 Formula One season.[6][7] The car was driven by (then) three-time World Drivers' Champion Sebastian Vettel and teammate Mark Webber.[4][5] Sebastian Vettel, in keeping with his tradition of naming his cars, named his RB9 "Hungry Heidi," after German model Heidi Klum.[8] Vettel would ultimately claim the Drivers' Championship title, for the fourth consecutive season, at the Indian Grand Prix, after ten wins during the season. Vettel and Webber also brought the car to the last win and world titles for a V8 and a naturally-aspirated engine-powered F1 car, marking the end of the V8 and the naturally-aspirated engine-era of Formula One which began in 1989 when turbocharged engines were banned at that time.

As of 2022, the Red Bull RB9 was the most recent Renault-powered Formula One car to win the Constructors' Championship.

Competition history

In January 2013, Red Bull Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey admitted that development of the RB9 chassis had been put on hold during the second half of the 2012 season so that the team could concentrate on developing its predecessor, the RB8, in order to secure the 2012 World Drivers' and Constructors' Championship titles.[6]

The RB9 had a strong debut in Australia, with Vettel topping both Friday practice sessions,[9][10] before taking pole position in qualifying, ahead of teammate Webber.[11] Webber suffered a poor start due to a problem with KERS,[12] while Vettel suffered with tyre degradation and finished the race in third place. Webber finished the race in sixth place.[13]

Sebastian Vettel overtook teammate Webber in the controversial 2013 Malaysian Grand Prix

In Malaysia, Vettel went on to win the race, following an order (which he ignored) to let his teammate Webber win the race. In China, Vettel did not set any time in the last session of qualifying, and Webber originally qualified 14th, but moved to the back of the grid for failing to provide a one-litre fuel sample after qualifying. In the race, Webber lost his rear right wheel on lap 15, meanwhile Vettel was almost close to get a podium finish to Lewis Hamilton, finishing 4th with a 0.203 second gap. In Bahrain, Vettel went on to win the race ahead of both Lotus drivers Kimi Räikkönen and Romain Grosjean. The next race at Spain at Catalunya was disappointing for the team; neither driver got onto the podium. In Monaco, Vettel finished 2nd with a fastest lap set on the 77th lap, and Webber finished 3rd. In Canada, Vettel went on to win the race ahead of Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile Webber finished 4th. At the British Grand Prix, Vettel and Webber qualified 3rd and 4th respectively, but on lap 41 of the race, Vettel suffered from a gearbox problem coming to the final turn of the circuit, costing him a victory. The safety car would be deployed, and the race was won by Nico Rosberg. His teammate Webber would finish 2nd. Vettel went on to win at his home race in Germany at Nürburgring. In Hungary Vettel and Webber finished 3rd and 4th respectively.

Vettel went on a nine-consecutive race win after the summer break. Pictured here is during the 2013 Indian Grand Prix where he clinched his fourth World Drivers' Championship title

From Belgium to the season-ending race at Brazil, Vettel broke the record for most consecutive wins in a season by a total of 9. Sebastian Vettel would eventually clinch his fourth and final World Drivers' Championship title at the Indian Grand Prix.

Mark Webber announced his Formula One retirement at the British Grand Prix, and the seat went to fellow Australian Daniel Ricciardo which was confirmed in September.

Sponsorship and livery

The basic colors of the Red Bull RB9 are dark blue and purple. In addition to sponsor stickers from Infiniti, there are large Red Bull stickers on the side pods, the Red Bull logo on the hood and nose, and the Red Bull lettering on the front and rear wings. Other sponsors on the vehicle are Rauch, Renault and Total.

Electric version

On August 20, 2014, on the sidelines of the 2014 Belgian Grand Prix, Red Bull presented a fully electric version of the RB9, fitted with the nose of the Red Bull RB10, intended to facilitate pit stop training for mechanics; indeed, this electric single-seater can easily move forwards and backwards, which makes it possible to increase the frequency of operations devolved to mechanics.[14]

Other events

At the start of the 2014 F1 season, Daniel Ricciardo raced an RB9 against a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F/A-18 Hornet, piloted by RAAF pilot Michael Keightley.[15]

Mark Webber losing his wheel at the 2013 Chinese Grand Prix

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant Engine Tyres Drivers Grands Prix Points WCC
AUS MAL CHN BHR ESP MON CAN GBR GER HUN BEL ITA SIN KOR JPN IND ABU USA BRA
2013 Infiniti Red Bull Racing Renault RS27-2013 P Germany Sebastian Vettel 3 1 4 1 4 2 1 Ret 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 596 1st
Australia Mark Webber 6 2 Ret 7 5 3 4 2 7 4 5 3 15† Ret 2 Ret 2 3 2

† Driver failed to finish the race, but was classified as they had completed greater than 90% of the race distance.

References

  1. ^ "Red Bull Racing Car". Infinity-RedBullRacing.com. Red Bull Racing Ltd. Archived from the original on 3 February 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  2. ^ "The Cars".
  3. ^ Noble, Jonathan; Beer, Matt (11 December 2013). "F1 teams expert enough to avoid early tyre struggles – Ross Brawn". Autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  4. ^ a b Beer, Matt (14 March 2011). "Horner pleased to end Vettel rumours". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  5. ^ a b Beer, Matt (10 July 2012). "Webber will stay with Red Bull Racing for the 2013 Formula 1 season". Autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  6. ^ a b Benson, Andrew (3 January 2013). "Red Bull's Adrian Newey says title wins affecting 2013 preparation". BBC F1. BBC. Retrieved 4 January 2013. [Designer Adrian Newey] said that the challenge of running dual programmes and the necessity to keep developing the 2012 car to the end of the season had delayed work on the 2013 car, the RB9.
  7. ^ Collantine, Keith (18 November 2012). "Red Bull win third constructors' title in a row". F1 Fanatic. Keith Collantine. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  8. ^ Jeleva, Dessislava (14 March 2013). "F1 News - Vettel names RB9 Hungry Heidi". SportPulse. Dessislava Jeleva. Archived from the original on 13 October 2013. Retrieved 8 June 2013.
  9. ^ "Vettel on top in Australia". Formula1.com. Formula One Administration. 15 March 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  10. ^ "Vettel leads Red Bull 1-2 in Melbourne". Formula1.com. Formula One Administration. 15 March 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  11. ^ "Vettel storms to Sunday pole in Australia". Formula1.com. Formula One Administration. 17 March 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  12. ^ Straw, Edd; Beer, Matt (17 March 2013). "Webber hit by telemetry, KERS issues". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  13. ^ "Raikkonen and Lotus triumph in Australia". Formula1.com. Formula One Administration. 17 March 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  14. ^ "Red Bull utilise une F1 100% électrique à Spa". Motorsport.nextgen-auto.com. 21 August 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  15. ^ "Red Bull v Hornet: Ricciardo joins the RAAF". Redbull.com. Red Bull. 15 March 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2020.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Red Bull RB9.
Awards Preceded byRed Bull RB8 AutosportRacing Car Of The Year 2013 Succeeded byMercedes F1 W05 Hybrid
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