Red Bull’s 2012 car will “surprise” the F1 paddock, its famous designer Adrian Newey has been quoted as saying by a Finnish newspaper.
Already this week, Ferrari’s chief designer Nikolas Tombazis has revealed that next year’s single seater is “fairly different” to the current 150 Italia and could provoke a “wow factor” when it is launched.

But the same is also true of Newey’s RB8, according to Turun Sanomat newspaper, despite the current Red Bull being an evolution of the 2009 concept.

Blown diffusers aside, the rules are staying essentially the same in 2012 but Newey has “revealed that next year’s RB8 will amaze everyone”, correspondent Heikki Kulta wrote.

“When he was asked what about it is so surprising, he replied that if he revealed that now then it would no longer be a surprise.”

Even team boss Christian Horner apparently knows very little about the 2012 Red Bull.

“So far he (Newey) has only told me that it’s going to be blue,” he joked, according to Die Presse.

Dr Helmut Marko said on the Servus TV channel this week that the 2011 car will feature some new parts in Japan this weekend.

“What we learn can be used for the new car in 2012,” said the team advisor. “We want to come back with a clear lead for the first race of the season.”

But before the full focus turns to 2012, Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel need to mathematically conclude their 2011 title triumphs, and Newey insists there is no celebrating yet.

“We still have not won anything,” the Briton said ahead of Suzuka, where Vettel needs only a single point to secure his second drivers’ title.

Horner however insists the team will not be on ‘cruise and collect’ in Japan.

“We are not looking at the one point but the (maximum) 43,” Kleine Zeitung quotes him saying.

As for the future, Horner insists he can live with the constant sniping about Red Bull’s approach to F1 rules and financial agreements.

“We take it as a compliment,” he said. “We have shown that what we have achieved was no fluke.

“Ferrari and McLaren were sworn enemies for twenty years, yet now they are united against us.”

In one fell swoop, Dr Helmut Marko has dismissed the title threat posed by figures including reigning champion Jenson Button, the 2008 runner-up Felipe Massa, Mercedes’ works team, and seven time world champion Michael Schumacher.

Red Bull’s motor racing adviser told APA news agency that the energy drink owned team only fears the challenges of Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton.

“There are two people that we fear for this world title,” said Marko.  “They are Fernando Alonso, because he is at his absolute peak, and Lewis Hamilton.

“What the others are doing bothers us not so much,” revealed the Austrian.

Red Bull’s RB6 car has been clearly the fastest among F1′s class of 2010, so Marko thinks the Milton Keynes based team is rightly the championship favourite.

“With the package that we have, we clearly have to be going for the championship — and in the coming years.

“We have the people we need and the necessary tools to adapt to changes.  We have had a winning car also in 2008 and 2009, so you can’t say that it’s a fluke when you’re building a top car in three consecutive years,” he added.

GMM

Apr.29 (GMM) Jacques Villeneuve says he is happy for his former teammate Jenson Button, as the reigning world champion continues to lead the world of formula one.

The pair had an initially acrimonious relationship as BAR teammates in 2003, but Villeneuve has since declared his admiration for the Briton’s talents.

French Canadian Villeneuve, 39, said he has been particularly impressed this year with Button’s driving in the wet, including wins in Australia and China that have given him the world championship lead.

“Jenson was always quick in the rain but now he’s becoming increasingly recognised as the best in the field,” he told Canada’s Rue Frontenac.

“Michael always had that reputation in the past but I think Jenson has passed him now in the minds of observers,” added Villeneuve.

“But I also don’t forget about Alonso, who did an exceptional race on the wet track of Shanghai,” he said.

Villeneuve said Button’s “really great start” to 2010 with McLaren proves his world championship was well deserved.

“To change teams and stay among the best shows that it was no fluke,” said the winner of 11 grands prix. “I am really happy for him.”

As for his former nemesis Schumacher, Villeneuve thinks the seven time world champion’s comeback so far has been “disappointing”.

“This is his first big disappointment. He did well at first for a guy who has not raced for three years, but then the results were disappointing.”

But he still thinks Mercedes was right to entice the 41-year-old German out of retirement.

“Michael is useful even if he’s not winning, and nobody can take away his seven titles or that he is one of the best in history.

“And when Rosberg beats him with the same equipment, it cements Nico’s reputation much more than if he were beating someone else,” added Villeneuve.