Red Bull RB9
| Company type | Racing car |
|---|---|
| Industry | Formula One |
| Founded | 2013 |
| Founder | Adrian Newey (engineer) |
| Products | Formula One car |
| Parent | Red Bull Racing |
The Red Bull RB9 is a Formula One car engineered by Adrian Newey for the Red Bull Racing team during the 2013 Formula One season. It was piloted by then three-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel alongside his teammate Mark Webber. Vettel affectionately dubbed the vehicle "Hungry Heidi" in honor of German model Heidi Klum. That year, Vettel clinched his fourth consecutive Drivers' Championship after securing ten race victories.
This model represented the last triumphs and championship wins for an F1 car powered by a V8 naturally aspirated engine, closing the chapter that began in 1989 when turbocharged engines were prohibited. To date, it stands as the latest Renault-powered car to capture the Constructors' Championship.
Competition history
In January 2013, Red Bull's Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey disclosed that development work on the RB9 chassis had been temporarily halted late in 2012 to concentrate efforts on refining the RB8, which had secured both the 2012 World Drivers' and Constructors' titles.
The RB9 made a strong entrance at the 2013 Australian Grand Prix, with Vettel topping both Friday practice sessions and claiming pole position ahead of Webber. Webber encountered a KERS malfunction at race start, while Vettel contended with tyre wear issues, ultimately finishing third; Webber ended up sixth.
At the Malaysian Grand Prix, despite team instructions to allow Webber past, Vettel took victory. In China, Vettel failed to progress to final qualifying, while Webber started from the back due to fuel sample complications and retired after losing a wheel. Vettel narrowly missed a podium finish, placing fourth. Vettel triumphed again in Bahrain, leading Lotus drivers Räikkönen and Grosjean.
The Spanish Grand Prix proved less successful with no podium placements. In Monaco, Vettel secured second place along with the fastest lap; Webber finished third. Vettel won in Canada ahead of Alonso and Hamilton, with Webber in fourth. At Silverstone, a late gearbox failure cost Vettel a win; Webber finished second behind Rosberg. Vettel claimed victory at his home German GP; both drivers also performed well in Hungary.
Between Belgium and Brazil, Vettel set a record by winning nine consecutive races and sealed his fourth World Drivers' Championship at the Indian Grand Prix.
Mark Webber announced his retirement during the British GP weekend; Daniel Ricciardo was confirmed as his successor in September.
Sponsorship and livery
The RB9 sports a dark blue and purple paint scheme prominently displaying Red Bull branding across its side pods, engine cover, nose cone, and wings. Its principal sponsors include Infiniti, Rauch, Pepe Jeans, Casio, and Geox.
Electric version
On August 20, 2014, coinciding with the 2014 Belgian Grand Prix, Red Bull revealed an all-electric version of the RB9 equipped with the nose from the Red Bull RB10. Created to enhance pit stop practice sessions, this electric single-seater is capable of moving forward and backward with ease, streamlining mechanic training activities.
Other events
Early in the 2014 F1 season, Daniel Ricciardo drove an RB9 in a unique race against a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F/A-18 Hornet, piloted by RAAF aviator Michael Keightley.
Complete Formula One results
(key) (bold denotes pole position; italics signify fastest lap)
| Season | Team | Power Unit | Tyre Supplier | Competitors | Grand Prix Events | Championship Points | WCC | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUS | MAL | CHN | BHR | ESP | MON | CAN | GBR | GER | HUN | BEL | ITA | SIN | KOR | JPN | IND | ABU | USA | BRA | |||||||
| Template:F1 | Infiniti Red Bull Racing | Renault RS27-2013 | Template:Pirelli | Germany Sebastian Vettel | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | Ret | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 596 | 1st |
| Template:Country data AUSTemplate:Namespace detect showall Mark Webber | 6 | 2 | Ret | 7 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 15† | Ret | 2 | Ret | 2 | 3 | 2 | ||||||
Competitor did not complete the race but was classified after covering more than 90% of the distance.