F1 2013 Testing

[dj_bytedisaster]

They were among the slowest on the straights last year, too - doesn't mean much unless they want to take up drag racing.

It isn't completely without importance. The RB's are comparatively 'slow', because they are optimized for lap times. That means they have a slight edge in the corners, but are somewhat more pedestrian on the straight. This is where Vettels typical style comes from. He has to drive the wheels off it in the first few laps to get out of the DRS zone, before Whiting enables it. If one of the other cars manage to stay within a second and is therefore able to DRS the crap out of him, he's effed, as Lewis has proven in Austin last year. The Red Bull is ruthlessly optimized for qualifying and starting at the pointy edge of the grid is a must. Mark has proven over and over again that if you have to start 3rd or 4th, you're going nowhere with that thing for lack of straight-line speed. That's why RB had to practically overhaul the gearbox settings, when VET had to start from the back in Singapore.

[airshifter]

Great points. The RB has often proven that with the right driver behind the wheel the straight line speed won't matter much. They can't overtake on the straights if you can gain a solid advantage before the straight.

[steveaki13]

Marussia to win at Monza then. :

Seriously though Red Bull have been slow in a straight line for years and it does them no real harm.