F1: Max Verstappen drives the new Red Bull Racing RB16 at Silverstone - video and pictures
It’s back to business for the Bulls as they bid to launch a title challenge
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On the day it was confirmed that the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix had been postponed Red Bull Racing were busy giving their new car a shakedown at Silverstone.
After revealing the livery for their 2020 challenger, the RB16, on social media Max Verstappen then took the new car out for a spin round the Northamptonshire circuit.
Red Bull drivers Verstappen and Alex Albon will be out to mount a title challenge against Mercedes and Ferrari in 2020 and the team says it is ready for the new campaign.
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Red Bull said: “It’s straight back to business in our iconic matte livery as the Bulls pick up where they left off and prepare to charge into the 2020 Formula 1 season.”
While Verstappen was giving the RB16 a run-out at Silverstone, his team-mate Albon will have to wait until next week’s pre-season test in Barcelona.
Test sessions at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will be held from 19-21 February and 26-28 February.
Formula1.com writer Mark Hughes said of the RB16: “With an unchanged set of aero regulations for 2020, Red Bull look to be starting the season more or less how they left off at the end of ’19.
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“Even more than Ferrari, the RB16 looks heavily based on last year's machine, with some obvious tweaking such as the different, more slotted nose opening. The heavily loaded outboard wing remains, as expected, and in that sense it remains quite different in aero concept to the Ferrari.
“The question is, which will be quicker when it hits the track in Barcelona?”
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Images: RedBullRacing.com and Red Bull/Twitter
F1 news: further reading
- F1 2020 guide: pre-season testing and car launches
- F1 confirms the Chinese GP is off because of coronavirus
- Can the Ferrari SF1000 bring glory back to Maranello?
- Mercedes W11 livery is unveiled - pictures and reactions
- Haas VF-20 livery revealed - fan reactions and pictures