Red Bull debuts with its own power unit
The Australian GP for Red Bull will in any case be a milestone in the history of the Milton Keynes team because it will be the race in which the power unit built in-house with the help of Ford will debut. Below are the words of drivers Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar and team principal Laurent Mekies ahead of the debut in Melbourne.
Max Verstappen: “It will be fantastic to get back on track and kick off the season, it feels like it has taken a long time to get to this point and it’s exciting to finally be able to go racing again. In Bahrain, seeing the car with our power unit complete so many laps was truly impressive; there were many proud faces seeing it take to the track for the first time and the Team did a great job. We have driven the car in the simulator for so long that when the time finally came to return and see the car ready to go, I got goosebumps. Now comes the moment of truth. Looking at Melbourne, I don’t know how it will go, but we have learned a lot and worked to optimize the car as best as possible. Obviously, this circuit has given me many unforgettable memories, especially because I raced my first F1 race here. But this year will be a particularly exciting challenge and I can’t wait to see how it goes.”
Isack Hadjar: “I am excited to arrive in Melbourne and start my first weekend as an Oracle Red Bull Racing driver. It is a special moment for me, something I have worked towards for a long time. Preparation over the winter has been intense, but Albert Park is an incredible circuit and I feel ready. The goal for this weekend is to gain confidence with the new rules in racing conditions, work closely with the team and get the most out of the car from the first session, to prepare ourselves as best as possible for the season.”
Laurent Mekies: “Melbourne represents a historic moment for the Team, as it marks the debut of the RB22, our first car built in compliance with the new regulations and, very significantly, the first appearance of the Red Bull Ford Powertrains DM-01 in racing conditions. It is the result of immense work, dedication and trust from everyone involved in the project. We know the road ahead is long: building a competitive power unit from scratch is one of the biggest challenges you can face in this sport. But it is a challenge we have accepted together. This weekend is the most important step on this journey.”
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