Red Bull Racing unleashes the RB14!

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Red Bull Racing has released the first images of its 2018 RB14, the car it hopes will put the Milton Keynes-based squad in the running for the title this year alongside arch-rivals Mercedes and Ferrari.

Red Bull insist the RB14 is currently wearing a special edition livery, and keeping its race-ready paint job under wraps until the car's official unveiling in Barcelona next week.

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Red Bull underlined the car's timely design and early completion, a change compared to the typical "aggressively late" start the outfit has endured in the past few seasons.

"It's preferable to finish the car early and deal with any snags now, when the car is on a track a short drive from the factory, rather than using up one of our eight ultra-precious test days doing the same at the Circuit de Catalunya," the team said in its release.

The Renault-powered RB14 obviously complies with F1's new bodywork regulations, marked by the introduction of the Halo and the removal at the rear of the ubiquitous 'shark fin', the 'monkey seat' and the T-wing.

Daniel Ricciardo will be taking the all-new Aston Martin-Red Bull Racing-TAG Heuer RB14 for a spin at Silverstone today as the team conducts its traditional shakedown and pre-season filming day.

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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.