RB14 design brought forward to avoid slow 2018 start

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Daniel Ricciardo revealed that Red Bull brought forward the design process of its 2018 contender in a bid to avoid a slow start next season.

The Aussie underlined the Milton Keynes-based bad habit of kicking off its F1 campaign in a slow mode before picking up the pace later in the season to finish on a high.

Ricciardo hopes an early start will help Red Bull Racing hit the ground running in 2018 and lead to more consistent and durable performance overall.

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"I always feel like our starts to the season have been slow, particularly since I’ve been with the team, but as far as I’m aware that’s not planned. I don’t know why exactly," Ricciardo said.

"We definitely get stronger and it’s a nice trend to get better and better but we’d like to start better. I still don’t really know the answer why that is.

Ricciardo believed his team's design department was diligent in its early planning, but as an extra measure of caution it initiated its 2018 development program even earlier than usual.

"We always feel like we start on the next year’s car early enough but maybe what we think is early isn’t early enough. I know for next year it has been brought forward more than it was for this year.

"It’s never the intention not to be on the podium in Melbourne, it’s probably more my intention than any other race."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.