Newey: Goal is for the RB8 to attend first test

Red Bull’s chief technical officer Adrian Newey, says the plan is to run their 2012 car, the RB8, at the first test in Jerez this February.

Their rival, McLaren, opted for a different strategy in 2011 by running their previous challenger at the first test, something Mercedes plan to do this year, however Red Bull are hoping to get the maximum running with their new car, given the reduced pre-season testing next season.

“That’s the plan,” Newey told The F1 Times when asked if the RB8 would be in Jerez on February 7th. “It’s certainly the goal to be at the first test with the new car.”

Speaking at Red Bull’s ‘home run’ in Milton Keynes, Newey admitted the change to the regulations, in particular the ones which they have pioneered over the previous few seasons, is a concern, but he’s focused on doing the best job he can.

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“We’ve been concentrating on the RB8 since about September,” added Newey. “The few regulation changes, the exhaust pipe and diffusers – that we’ve pioneered over the past few years – have been taken away, which is a shame. So we’ve got to develop the car without them, which will obviously be a disadvantage.

“Mercedes have got a great technical team, McLaren are very stong and have pushed us hard, Ferrari, they have a longevity to them, they’re the three obvious ones, but who knows. I don’t worry about any particular competitor, just focus on doing the best job we can.”