Red Bull Racing RB14

FIA F1 Austria 2018 Nr. 3 Ricciardo

Red Bull Racing RB14 is a Formula One racing car designed and constructed by Red Bull Racing to compete during the 2018 Formula One World Championship. The car was a successor to the Red Bull Racing RB13 and was driven by Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo. The RB14 was notable for its competitive performance, securing multiple Grand Prix victories and podium finishes throughout the season.

Development and Design

The development of the RB14 was focused on addressing the shortcomings of its predecessor, the RB13, particularly in terms of reliability and aerodynamic efficiency. The team's engineers, led by Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey, implemented significant changes in the car's design, including a revised suspension setup and a more aggressive aerodynamic package aimed at improving downforce and airflow around the car.

One of the most visible changes was the introduction of the 'halo' cockpit protection device, mandated by the FIA for all 2018 Formula One cars for enhanced driver safety. The RB14 was initially launched with a special testing livery before being switched to the team's traditional racing colors ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

Performance

The RB14 proved to be a competitive package from the outset, with Ricciardo and Verstappen both securing multiple podium finishes over the course of the season. The car's performance was particularly strong in high-downforce circuits, where its aerodynamic efficiency allowed it to challenge the dominant Mercedes and Ferrari teams.

Daniel Ricciardo achieved the RB14's first victory at the Chinese Grand Prix, executing a series of overtakes that highlighted both his skill and the car's capabilities in race conditions. Max Verstappen also secured multiple victories, including a memorable win at the Austrian Grand Prix, much to the delight of the Red Bull Racing team and its fans.

Despite its successes, the RB14's campaign was not without challenges. Reliability issues and racing incidents occasionally hampered the team's efforts, and the performance gap to Mercedes and Ferrari meant that Red Bull Racing finished third in the Constructors' Championship.

Legacy

The RB14 is remembered as one of Red Bull Racing's more successful Formula One cars in the turbo-hybrid era. Its development and performance during the 2018 season demonstrated the team's engineering prowess and laid the groundwork for future designs. The car's successes helped to further establish Max Verstappen as a rising star in the sport and provided Daniel Ricciardo with some of his most memorable drives before his departure from the team at the end of the season.

Following the RB14, Red Bull Racing continued to develop competitive racing cars, with the team's future designs building upon the lessons learned during the 2018 campaign.