Red Bull boss Christian Horner believes the new technical regulations for the upcoming season will test driver's intelligence.
The main changes are the return of KERS and the introduction of moveable rear wings. Both are aimed at improving overtaking by allowing the driver to increase his speed over a short burst, but the wing should have a bigger effect as it is only available to the attacking car in a two-way battle. Add to the mix the management of the new Pirelli tyres, which could result in three or four pits stops per race, and the drivers will have a lot more to contend with than in previous years.
"The drivers adapt incredibly quickly, anything that gives them performance they are on to immediately, so KERS and the rear wing they have mastered very quickly" Horner told ESPNF1 at the Motorsport Magazine Hall of Fame recently. "For sure there is a lot more going on this year and the most intelligent driver will come to the front. It's going to be a fascinating challenge to see how it pans out."
Red Bull's driver line-up for 2011 remains unchanged with Mark Webber and world champion Sebastian Vettel both contracted until the end of the year. The pair had a frosty relationship in 2010 after they clashed on track at the Turkish Grand Prix, but Horner is confident their competitive relationship will only boost the team this year.
"I'm sure they are going to push each other hard and they'll get the best out of each other," he said. "It makes for one of the most exciting line-ups in Formula One, but hopefully incidents like Istanbul we'll manage to avoid."
And on Vettel's future at the team beyond his current contract, Horner said: "Sebastian's been at Red Bull a long time now, since his karting career and we've achieved a great deal and I'm hopeful that will continue for many years."
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