Red Bull’s RB11 will only just be ready for the first pre-season test in Jerez on Sunday according to team principal Christian Horner.
During a media event in Milton Keynes on Tuesday, the Briton confirmed parts of the car were still outstanding as the team opted to work to a later than usual deadline in order to maximise development time.
“Not yet,” he replied when asked if the RB11 was ready for Jerez. “The car is flat out in build at the moment.
“It’s probably the shortest production and assembly [time] in our previous ten seasons.
“It is unbelievable what the factory have turned around so far. But still there is plenty to do before Sunday.”
Compared to last year, the team expects a much smoother debut after ironing out many of the problems over the winter.
“After the first test last year, hopefully this one cannot be any worse than that,” he added. “I think we managed about four laps over four days and the car would either stop on track or set on fire.
“It has been a far more positive winter compared to last year. We know where the benchmark is and what we need to achieve.
“I think this is the most impressive winter we have had as a team, that is in terms of everything coming together – in terms of the car being produced in the shortest time ever, and the design hitting all their deadlines and targets.”
