Red Bull’s cooling problems almost resolved

The Red Bull Racing Team believes they are getting to grips with the engine cooling problems. Ever since its first outing in December, the Ferrari-powered RB2 has struggled to disperse the heat generated by its new V8, forcing the team to restrict the car to a limited number of laps at a time.

Altough, the team is confident that a new aerodynamics kit will solve the difficulties. Elements of this are due to be tested at Valencia in Spain later this month, ahead of the full package’s race debut at the season-opener in Bahrain in March.

Mark Smith, Red Bull technical director “We’re still working hard on detailing all of the issues that led to the cooling deficit and there is still some work to do. But the timescale means we had to move on applying a solution and our analysis indicates we have solved the problem.”

Smith said that he was unconcerned about the lack of long-distance running achieved by the team in light of the cooling problems.

“Ferrari have been running the same engine in interim form pre-Christmas and in interim and 2006 form in the new year, so they have a good mileage on the engine and a good understanding of its durability."

Red Bull begins a two-day test at the circuit of Silverstone on Tuesday, before moving to Valencia, Spain next week.