The Red Bull RB8 is a Formula One racing car designed by Red Bull Racing which competed in the 2012 Formula One season. The car was driven by reigning World Drivers' Champion Sebastian Vettel, and Mark Webber, with former Scuderia Toro Rosso driver Sébastien Buemi filling the role of test driver. The car was launched online on 6 February, and made its debut at the first pre-season test at Jerez.
Before the start of the season, it was reported that the team were in no hurry to copy the reactive ride-height system developed by Lotus into the design of the RB8. Team principal Christian Horner stated that "things have to work as a package rather than as individual components". The system was later banned by the FIA. Like most 2012-specification cars, the RB8 features a 'stepped-nose' to conform with new regulations to improve safety in the event of a collision with another car. The RB8 features a slot cut into the step of the nose section, although Adrian Newey claimed this has no use other than to aid cooling for the driver.
Sebastian Vettel, who (since joining Scuderia Toro Rosso) makes it a habit to give his racing cars names, named his RB8 'Abbey'. Its name is based neither on his favourite band's album Abbey Road, nor on the famous Silverstone corner. According to him, "it's just a cool name".
At the 2012 British Grand Prix, the livery featured 25,000 fan-submitted images for Wings For Life Foundation.
