Sebastian Vettel 2013 Drivers' Title

Lore & Background

The RB16 was planned to make its competitive debut at the 2020 Australian Grand Prix, but this was delayed when the race was cancelled and the next three events in Bahrain, Vietnam and China were postponed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The RB16 made its debut at the 2020 Austrian Grand Prix, while the RB16B made its debut at the 2021 Bahrain Grand Prix. The pandemic prompted the delay of technical regulations that had been planned for introduction in 2021. Under an agreement between teams and the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, 2020-specification cars—including the RB16—saw their lifespan extended to compete in 2021, with Red Bull producing an updated chassis called the RB16B, which used Honda's upgraded RA621H power unit.

In Their Own Story

The rain fell heavily over Interlagos as the Brazilian Grand Prix began. Sebastian Vettel sat at the start line, helmet visor reflecting the floodlights of the night race. He knew that a strong finish here would seal the fourth title. As the green lights faded, he surged forward, the RB9 gripping the wet asphalt with terrifying confidence. Through the turns, he didn't look back; he simply drove to win, knowing history was waiting for him at the chequered flag.

Reader's Guide

The RB16 featured a narrower nose with two additional inlets at its front, a redesigned barge-board area, smaller side-pod inlets, a large 'cape' element below the nose, raised parts of the rear suspension, two rear wing supporting pillars, and a redesigned front multi-link suspension. For 2021, Red Bull used its development tokens to change the shape of the gearbox casing, allowing it to rearrange the rear suspension and significantly increase rear downforce. The RA621H engine was Honda's biggest change since 2017, with a more compact camshaft layout placed lower, a different valve angle, shorter cylinder bore spacing, and modifications to the turbine and compressor, among other changes.

Did You Know?

• The RB16B became the first non-Mercedes car to win the drivers' championship since 2013.
• Honda became the first Japanese and Asian engine supplier world champions of the turbo-hybrid era.
• At the 2021 Turkish Grand Prix, the RB16B wore a red and white livery inspired by Honda's first Formula One race win in 1965.