2013 Red Bull could miss first winter test

Reigning champion Red Bull’s 2013 car might not be ready for the first pre-season test in early February.

We have already reported designer Adrian Newey’s admission that late development work to ensure the 2012 title somewhat delayed progress of the RB8’s successor.

He said in an official Red Bull film that 2012 was "one of the toughest seasons I’ve been through".

Newey is now quoted by the Sun newspaper: "We had to keep pushing which made it difficult to introduce developments and simultaneously develop next year’s (2013) car.

"This has compromised the timescales of the new car more than we would have liked."

The BBC reports that Red Bull will confirm next week if the 2013 car, the RB9, will be ready for the first Jerez test on 5 February.