Red Bull launch their 2016 car; the RB12

The Red Bull team has released the first images of its 2016 car on the opening day of testing at the Circuit de Catalunya.

The RB12 hit the track with Daniel Ricciardo at the wheel just moments after the team released studio photos via its media channels. The car is powered by a TAG Heuer-badged Renault engine and appears to be an evolution of the RB11 that took the team to fourth in the constructors' championship last year.

The decision to stick with Renault power was made late last year after Red Bull approached the three other engine suppliers looking to switch for 2016, and in a statement to the media this morning, team boss Christian Horner said the late decision will put the team on the back foot at the start of the year. Horner stated the following:-

'Obviously the late engine decision last year was a challenge but we found a solution in time and the whole team has worked incredibly hard to recover over the winter. Therefore, we're looking to build on the significant progress we made in the second half of 2015 and to carry that momentum into the early races of this season.

'My hopes for this season are that we genuinely make progress from where we were last year; that we get our heads down and we really develop the car well and hopefully with some performance coming on the power unit side as well, that will allow us to get closer to some of our immediate rivals.'

In his own statement to the media this morning Chief technical officer Adrian Newey added the following about the RB12 as follows:-

'I'm often asked what area of the car I'm most pleased with, but with the stable regulations we have at the moment it's difficult to find any major new areas to exploit.

'Therefore, what we've really tried to concentrate on with this car is getting a cohesive package for all the parts – the suspension, the chassis dynamics, aerodynamics – that they all work together in harmony. I think we've managed to build on the lessons of last year and all the indications from our simulations suggest that this year's chassis should be strong.'

From looking at pictures of the RB12, it looks to be a neatly packaged car and more refined as well which you would expect from the team with Newey working on the car and being known for pushing the limits while creating what he terms as “harmony” with the car and the chassis. But I am still not keen on the livery colours, even though it is brighter than I was expecting.

As Horner rightly points out the late switch on their engines clearly has affected them going into the winter to prepare for this season but I am sure with the personnel and resources that Red Bull have at their disposal, they will be able to develop the car further into the season which is their objective. And that is overall all you can expect from Red Bull this season in my honest opinion.

Sarah Jones- @jonesy_laaa