Red Bull’s RB11 has passed the mandatory FIA crash tests at the very last minute, allowing the team to take part in pre-season testing this week.
Team principal Christian Horner admitted the car wasn’t ready last week, with the final build and crash tests yet to be finalised, but explained the decision had been taken to maximise development time.
“It’s probably the shortest production and assembly in our previous 10 seasons,” he told media including Grand Prix Times last week.
“It is unbelievable what the factory have turned around so far. But still there is plenty to do before Sunday.”
The car underwent crash tests on Saturday – which it passed – and was then transported to Spain overnight. The RB11 is expected to arrive just a few hours before testing kicks off in Jerez.
Had it failed the tests, the Milton Keynes outfit would have been forced to watch from the sidelines as their rivals gain invaluable testing data.
As it stands, the RB11 will be shown to media before it takes to track in the morning. It’s been rumoured the team will run a camouflaged test livery.
