Red Bull can thrive under new rules

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner believes the combination of new rules for 2009 together with measures to cut costs will help Formula One's independent teams compete with their manufacturer-backed rivals.

Next season brings new aerodynamic rules, the return of slick tyres and the arrival of Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS) - all introduced with the intention of increasing overtaking.

In the wake of Honda's announcement last month that they are withdrawing from the sport, teams have also agreed cost-cutting measures including cheaper engines, a ban on in-season testing and limits on wind tunnel useage.

Horner predicted that the combination of a clean sheet of paper and the cost-cutting initiative could well allow independents without the seemingly limitless funds the manufacturers have possessed to shake things up.

He added that, given the strong backing of billionaire owner Dietrich Mateschitz, Red Bull Racing could be well placed to prosper.

"For an independent team like Red Bull Racing, the rules do create a more level playing field," Horner told autosport.com.

"With the restrictions that are coming into play, pretty much everyone has the same tools at their disposal.

"It's very easy to overlook that we are an independent team. We have got great strength of depth in people and the infrastructure is very strong.

"But as a non-works team, we lack the depth of manufacturer research and development and analysis. With the regulation changes, that becomes irrelevant.

"The regulation changes create opportunities and we will be looking to punch above our weight in 2009."

Red Bull's new Renault-powered RB5 will be unveiled on February 9 and Horner expressed satisfaction with both its progress and the presence of new recruit Sebastian Vettel.

"We're happy with what we have learned. It has been mainly focused on tyre evaluations and we're happy with what we have done," he added.

"Sebastian has settled into the team very quickly. Obviously he had done some running for us at the beginning of 2008 and in September.

"We're very content with our winter testing programme and are looking forward to the new car."