Red Bull have now reportedly passed FIA homologation after initially having supposedly failed a front-wing crash test.
Both Red Bull and Mercedes were said to have failed FIA tests, according to the Italian edition of Motorsport.com.
“[The Red Bull car] would not have passed the earlier crash test for chassis homologation,” claimed the report.
READ: Red Bull on Abu Dhabi scandal: ‘It’s really important the FIA do their investigation’
“At Cranfield, where the British teams converge for the dynamic tests, Red Bull would have registered a failure in the front of the car that would force the Milton Keynes team to review the ability to absorb energy from the nose and the chassis in the front”.
It was, however, emphasised that designer Adrian Newey is no stranger to such test failures due to his aggressive approach, and that the homologation setback would simply push back their release date a little.
The eight-time constructors’ champions denied the rumour that they too had not passed, tweeting: “W13 completed full FIA homologation on January 13.”
Now, F1-Insider suggests that the Milton Keynes-based outfit have passed all of the necessary crash tests, and their car is ready to be rolled out for the 2022 season.
“The team of world champion Max Verstappen has, like Mercedes, [been] given the all-clear, although a presentation date is still pending,” said correspondent Bianca Garloff.
The 2022 season sees widespread changes to the technical regulations, as the aerodynamics of the car are reduced in a move that includes the return of ground effect.
The tyres will increase to 18 inches, and the power units will generate 20 less horsepower than in 2021.
It has been reported that Ferrari have managed to claw back this deficiency, and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has not ruled out the possibility of the Scuderia joining the title fight this season.
“I think you could see teams like Ferrari, McLaren, maybe even one or two surprises, because it’s a complete reset of the regulations and ourselves and Mercedes were very much involved in last year’s championship fight,” he told WION.
The Briton therefore conceded that Red Bull’s preparation for the new season may have been slightly adversely affected by their championship push last year.
READ: Mercedes respond to rumour 2022 car failed crash test
“So inevitably, that takes a little bit of distraction and emphasis away from the following year,” he added.
“We expect to have some very fierce competition out there this year and I think it will be an exciting championship ahead.”
Max Verstappen claimed his maiden Formula 1 world championship in dramatic fashion last year, while Mercedes secured their record eighth straight constructors’ crown.
The Silver Arrows will reveal their 2022 challenger on 18 February – one day after Ferrari.
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