Red Bull Racing RB20. 23.02.2024. Formula 1 Testing, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day Three
The International Automobile Federation (FIA) has unveiled the latest specifications for all 10 Formula 1 cars ahead of the Bahrain season opener in 2024.
After devoting the offseason to creating new designs and collecting data from last week’s pre-season test at the Bahrain International Circuit, the teams have responded by striving to optimize their packages for this weekend’s race.
Despite initially appearing to be the dominant frontrunners with their radically evolved RB20, Red Bull has decided to make several adjustments to further capitalize on their perceived advantage.
At the front of the car, modifications have been made to the front wing and endplates in order to enhance load while maintaining stability.
Similarly, changes to the nose have been implemented to improve airflow to the front wing and the car’s bodywork.
The RB20’s sidepod inlets have been a subject of much discussion since the car’s debut, and the vertical inlets have been reshaped to better utilize pressure for radiator cooling while minimizing their impact on the floor edge.
In terms of the floor edge, while other teams often try to replicate Red Bull’s design to improve performance, the Milton Keynes-based team has drawn inspiration from other designs on the grid to create shapes that generate more aerodynamic load.
Moving towards the rear of the car, additional cooling louvres have been added to the RB20 to meet the temperature demands of the Bahrain circuit, and the engine cover has been reconfigured to optimize airflow towards the rear wing.
On the Mercedes W15, the front wing features an innovative design where the front element is detached from the nose, and the fourth element is reduced using a carbon fiber chord.
This design aims to improve airflow towards the rear of the car and reduce drag generated by the front wing.
In contrast to Red Bull, the Mercedes W15 incorporates a triangular inlet on its sidepod to enhance airflow to the radiators and boost performance at the rear of the floor.
The floor itself, a crucial component in the ground effect era of F1, has undergone changes to its fence camber and floor tunnel profile in order to generate more load and optimize airflow towards the rear diffuser.
A modified engine cover shoulder has been introduced to improve airflow towards the rear wing, and the rear wing and beam wing have also been updated to enhance aerodynamic efficiency.
The Ferrari SF-24 has undergone a subtle transformation compared to its competitors before the start of free practice on Thursday, with only three modifications. The entrance of the sidepod has been redesigned and elevated to enhance the airflow through the undercut of the sidepod and around the back of the floor. The engine cover has been expanded and now includes a centralized section of cooling louvres, aimed at improving overall efficiency in this area. Lastly, the rear suspension of the SF-24 has been adjusted to better suit the overall development of the car’s bodywork.
In the development race of 2023, McLaren emerged as the unofficial champion, thanks to a series of successful upgrades made to its MCL60 challenger. As they prepare for this year’s Bahrain GP, the MCL38 boasts four updated features. These include a modified sidepod entrance, a new shape for the bodywork covering the engine, adjustments to the edges of the floor, and a fresh assembly for the rear wing. All these changes have been implemented to improve efficiency and airflow, while simultaneously enhancing cooling performance and optimizing drag levels specifically for the Bahrain circuit.
Aston Martin faced challenges in last year’s development race and has made efforts to create a more versatile AMR24 machine that can perform well on various circuits. The Silverstone team has introduced nine changes to their new challenger. The front wing now has a revised mounting position through the second element, aimed at improving load distribution and its interaction with other elements of the car. Additionally, the nose of the AMR24 has been shortened to complement this alteration. The shape and edges of the floor have been revised to improve loading, and the sidepod entrance has been raised, along with an increased undercut depth in the engine cover, to optimize airflow towards the rear of the car. Changes in the rear suspension layout have resulted in modified rear brake ducts, and the inboard elements of the beam wing are now mounted to the AMR24 crash structure to enhance overall performance.
Alpine presents its A524 vehicle as a “completely fresh” model for the 2024 season, but following a disappointing test, will its updated front wing and floor edges prevent it from falling behind the lower group of competitors?
In an attempt to surpass Alpine, Williams introduces the new FW46, a significantly modified car compared to its predecessor, with 14 alterations made.
The FW45 proved to be a challenging vehicle to optimize, only performing well under specific low-downforce track configurations. For the 2024 season, the team based in Grove has aimed to rectify this issue. The result is a new front wing design, a reshaped nosebox, modifications to the front and rear suspension, a completely revamped floor structure with updated fences and edges, a new sidepod inlet, and an altered diffuser design. Additionally, the car features a new coke and engine cover layout, specifically tailored for Bahrain’s cooling requirements. The rear wing and beam wing assembly have been redesigned, along with the rear corner geometry.
RB is a team to keep an eye on in 2024 as it transitions from a junior team to a more mature squad, utilizing Red Bull’s technical expertise to the fullest extent permitted by the regulations. The VCARB 01 showcases a revised nose and front wing assembly, aiming to minimize load losses alongside various other modifications from its predecessor. The implementation of a new pull-rod front suspension design has led to a revised front brake duct assembly, optimizing the gained load improvements from the nose and front wing assembly. The floor body, edges, and diffuser have been entirely redesigned to enhance loading, while the rear wing profiles seek to improve load efficiency. Furthermore, the sidpod inlet, coke/engine cover, and cooling louvres have undergone redesign to enhance cooling and manage airflow towards the rear of the car.
Sauber’s C44 features three significant changes. Firstly, the front suspension has transitioned from a push-rod to a pull-rod system in order to maximize aerodynamic efficiency. Secondly, the engine cover and sidepods have been aggressively redesigned to maximize downforce and aero efficiency. Lastly, the floor has been completely revamped for the 2024 season to generate increased downforce.
Finally, Haas acknowledges that it may face initial challenges in the 2024 season as it addresses the issues inherited from its VF-23 car. The VF-24, Haas’ new vehicle, recorded the highest mileage during pre-season testing and boasts a total of 11 revisions. The front wing and its elements have been redesigned to enhance flow conditioning. The introduction of a new sidepod inlet and a newly designed engine cover aim to improve cooling and airflow performance. Additionally, a new floor body, redesigned floor fences, and edges have been implemented to enhance overall performance. Haas has also made modifications to both the front and rear suspension and corners, with the effectiveness of these changes yet to be determined in bridging the gap to the rest of the field.