The RB11 was developed under the 2015 Formula One regulations. Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey stated that the design was focused on optimizing the car based on lessons learned from the previous season, particularly concerning the power unit and its packaging. Chief Engineering Officer Rob Marshall noted that while some visible changes affected the front of the car, most updates were internal. The team worked closely with Renault Sport to improve the Energy F1 power unit, aiming for closer integration between the power unit and the chassis.
The RB11 was powered by a Renault Energy F1-2015 V6 turbo engine with a capacity of 1600cc and a maximum rpm of 15,000rpm. The chassis featured a composite monocoque structure, designed and built in-house, with the Renault V6 engine acting as a fully stressed member. The suspension at both the front and rear comprised aluminium alloy uprights and carbon-composite double wishbones with springs, anti-roll bars, and Multimatic dampers. Braking was handled by Brembo calipers, and the electronics utilized a MESL standard control unit. The car used Pirelli P Zero tires and OZ Racing wheels. During pre-season testing at Jerez, the car ran a distinctive black and white camouflage livery, nicknamed "CamoBull," designed to obscure its aerodynamic details. The final race livery retained the traditional Red Bull colors but incorporated a more prominent use of purple alongside the existing red and gray.
The 2015 Formula One season proved challenging for Red Bull. The RB11 suffered from a lack of performance and reliability issues stemming from the Renault power unit, which was perceived to have moved backwards in performance compared to the previous year. After the first four races, the team had accumulated only 23 points, their worst start to a season since 2008. Daniel Ricciardo experienced an engine failure on the final lap of the Bahrain Grand Prix, forcing him to use his fourth power unit for the Spanish Grand Prix, exceeding the season's permitted allocation of four engines. Despite these difficulties, Daniil Kvyat achieved a second-place finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix, and Daniel Ricciardo also secured second place at the Singapore Grand Prix. These strong results were achieved on tracks that favored aerodynamic performance over outright speed. Ultimately, the team finished fourth in the Constructors' Championship, marking their first winless season since 2008.
The struggles of the RB11 highlighted the critical importance of engine performance in the hybrid era of Formula One. While the car's chassis was considered competitive, potentially on par with the dominant Mercedes team, the limitations imposed by the Renault power unit underscored the necessity of a strong engine to contend for championships. Renault reportedly threatened to withdraw from Formula One as an engine supplier if its reputation continued to be damaged or the venture proved unprofitable. The team's technical partners included Total, Exness, Casio, Rauch, Pepe Jeans London, Geox, and Singha Beer.
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