Red Bull RB4

Red Bull Racing
Industry	Formula One racing team
Founded	2005
Founder	Dietrich Mateschitz, Chaleo Yoovidhya
Headquarters	Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
Key people	Adrian Newey (Chief Technical Officer), Geoff Willis (Technical Director)
Products	Formula One cars
Parent	Red Bull GmbH
Website	www.redbullracing.com

The Red Bull RB4 served as the Formula One vehicle for Red Bull Racing during the 2008 Formula One season.

Launch

The RB4 marked Red Bull's second chassis crafted under the direction of chief technical officer Adrian Newey, with substantial contributions from technical director Geoff Willis, who joined the team from Honda in 2007. Powering the car was the Renault RS27-2008 engine, continuing Red Bull's partnership with Renault for a second consecutive year.

Its initial appearance took place at Jerez Circuit on 16 January 2008, where driver David Coulthard conducted early shakedown runs. Later, on 24 January at Valencia, Mark Webber tested the RB4 and described its performance as "encouraging" and indicative of a "significant advancement."

Technical developments

To adhere to the 2008 regulations, the RB4 incorporated a new standardized electronic control unit developed by McLaren Electronic Systems. This system was implemented to remove driver aids such as traction control and engine braking.

During testing at Barcelona on February 1, the RB4 debuted an innovative fin-shaped engine cover, enhancing its aerodynamic profile. Webber piloted the car equipped with this "Shark Fin" configuration, while Coulthard opted for a traditional engine cover during his runs.

Testing

Throughout preseason testing in 2008, the RB4 established itself as a leading contender just behind the frontrunners, with both Webber and Coulthard achieving competitive lap times. Although minor setbacks occurred—Coulthard lightly brushing the wall at Circuit de Catalunya and Webber experiencing kerb damage that delayed repairs—the team consistently refined the vehicle to meet new regulatory demands. The RB4’s blend of speed and reliability left Red Bull optimistic ahead of their first race in Melbourne.

Vettel testing RB4

At Barcelona from February 18 to 20, future Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel, then racing for Toro Rosso, stepped in for Coulthard who was sidelined by a trapped nerve. On February 19, Vettel completed 109 laps and secured seventh place with a lap time of 1:22.558, outperforming Webber’s seventeenth position on that day. Lewis Hamilton led the session with a McLaren-Mercedes time of 1:21.234.

Season

Although Webber achieved a second-place qualifying position at the British Grand Prix—an event where Coulthard announced his retirement effective at season’s end—Red Bull faced a summer stretch marked by modest outcomes. At the Belgian Grand Prix, Webber earned a point by finishing eighth after starting seventh. In Italy, despite qualifying third, he spun during the race and concluded in eighth place.

During Singapore’s Grand Prix, both drivers failed to reach Q3 qualifying, starting 13th and 14th respectively. Coulthard advanced to seventh place during the race, securing his final career points, while Webber retired on lap 29 due to gearbox problems. Red Bull Racing attributed this failure to an electrical surge triggered by an underground tram passing beneath Turn 13; however, this explanation was later refuted by the local railway authority. In Japan, Webber finished eighth after beginning from thirteenth on the grid; meanwhile, Coulthard crashed out following loss of control on lap one.

Sponsorship and livery

With the introduction of Red Bull Cola, branding appeared prominently on the RB4’s bargeboards and rear wing during selected events.

At the Brazilian Grand Prix, Coulthard’s RB4 featured a special "Wings for Life" charity livery aimed at raising awareness for spinal cord injuries. He dedicated his final race effort toward advancing paraplegia research. Red Bull Racing obtained permission from the FIA to run Coulthard’s car in distinctive colors differing from those of teammate Webber.

Full Formula One Results

(legend)

Season	Constructor	Power Unit	Tyre Supplier	Competitors	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	Championship Points	Constructors' Standings
Template:F1	Red Bull	Renault V8	Template:Bridgestone		AUS	MAL	BHR	ESP	TUR	MON	CAN	FRA	GBR	GER	HUN	EUR	BEL	ITA	SIN	JPN	CHN	BRA	29	7th
				Template:Country data GBR Template:Namespace detect showall David Coulthard	Retired	9th	18th	12th	9th	Retired	3rd	9th	Retired	13th	11th	17th	11th	16th	7th	Retired	10th	Retired
				Template:Country data AUS Template:Namespace detect showall Mark Webber	Retired	7th	7th	5th	7th	4th	12th	6th	10th	Retired	9th	12th	8th	8th	Retired	8th	14th	9th

External links