Red Bull RB3

Red Bull Racing RB3
Company type	Racing car
Industry	Formula One racing
Predecessor	None
Founded	2007
Founder	Adrian Newey (designer)
Successor	None
Key people	Christian Horner (team principal), Geoff Willis (technical director)
Products	Formula One car
Parent	Red Bull Racing

The Red Bull Racing RB3 was engineered for competition in the 2007 Formula One season, representing the first vehicle from Red Bull Racing crafted under the guidance of esteemed designer Adrian Newey. The car utilized customer Renault RS27 power units after Red Bull shifted its Ferrari engine partnership to Toro Rosso. Significantly, it marked the initial Formula One car outside the Enstone factory to run full works Renault engines since the Williams FW19 in 1997.

Controversy

Throughout its inaugural season, Red Bull and Toro Rosso became subjects of dispute regarding the use of customer cars. Rival teams Williams and Spyker accused both squads of employing identical chassis developed by Red Bull Technology, an independent entity, claiming this arrangement breached F1’s Concorde Agreement by effectively sharing technical designs. The FIA ultimately deemed the vehicles legal for that season. Senior Red Bull figures such as Gerhard Berger and Christian Horner asserted that their legal advisers had verified regulatory compliance, underscoring that managing two teams with chassis produced by Red Bull Technology conformed with the rules.

Performance

Piloted by Mark Webber and David Coulthard, the RB3 exhibited competitive pace capable of scoring points. Webber consistently qualified within the top ten, while Coulthard recorded the fastest lap during pre-race testing in Barcelona. The car’s architecture bore strong Adrian Newey influences, sharing visual similarities with earlier designs like the 2005 McLaren MP4-20. Nevertheless, frequent mechanical setbacks and reliability challenges hampered its potential, including issues such as malfunctioning brake pedals and fuel-flap blockages. The primary difficulty stemmed from the introduction of a seamless-shift gearbox, which led to numerous retirements for both drivers, notably at the Monaco and Canadian Grands Prix.

In response to these setbacks, team principal Christian Horner enforced rigorous protocols mid-season to mitigate mechanical failures. The recruitment of technical director Geoff Willis, formerly associated with Williams and BAR/Honda, was intended to enhance reliability and performance for the 2008 campaign.

Webber’s standout result was a podium finish at the 2007 European Grand Prix amid variable weather conditions. Additionally, he secured points with seventh-place finishes at both the United States and Belgian rounds, qualifying within the top 11 on eleven occasions throughout the year. Coulthard earned points in four events, including a fourth-place finish at the 2007 Japanese Grand Prix, where Webber had been running second before colliding with teammate Sebastian Vettel under safety car conditions.

Livery

At the British Grand Prix, the RB3 sported a distinctive livery featuring over 30,000 images submitted by fans as part of a charitable campaign supporting Wings for Life. Supporters pledged contributions and uploaded photos via the team’s website; each image was allocated a specific position on the cars in an effort to raise €1 million for charity.

Complete Formula One results

(key)

Year	Team	Engine	Tyres	Drivers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	Points	WCC
Template:F1	Red Bull Racing	Renault V8	Template:Bridgestone		AUS	MAL	BHR	ESP	MON	CAN	USA	FRA	GBR	EUR	HUN	TUR	ITA	BEL	JPN	CHN	BRA	24	5th
				Template:Country data GBR Template:Namespace detect showall David Coulthard	Ret	Ret	Ret	5	14	Ret	Ret	13	11	5	11	10	Ret	Ret	4	8	9
				Template:Country data AUS Template:Namespace detect showall Mark Webber	13	10	Ret	Ret	Ret	9	7	12	Ret	3	9	Ret	9	7	Ret	10	Ret