The Chief Technical Officer of Red Bull Racing has once again created a dominant car for the current season. Star driver Max Verstappen has emerged victorious in all the races thus far, with teammate Sergio Perez finishing directly behind him in P2.
Many believed it would be impossible for the team to replicate the success of last year’s RB19, leading to the expectation that they would maintain a similar design with only minor adjustments. However, Newey, the mastermind behind the team’s technical prowess, introduced a radically different aerodynamic design for the RB20. Although it possesses its own unique features, similarities to Mercedes’ 2023 challenger, the W14, were quickly identified. Both cars exhibit an aggressively downward sloping sidepod shape and a particularly prominent engine cover.
Nevertheless, Newey emphasized that the most significant improvements to the car’s performance were not immediately apparent. In an interview on Formula 1’s F1 Nation Podcast, he explained that while the attention was focused on the RB20’s revolutionary aerodynamic philosophy, it was the less noticeable adjustments that made the most difference for the 2024 season.
According to the renowned designer, the underlying architecture of the car is a third-generation evolution of the RB18, with only the radiators being replaced. The layout of the front and rear suspension, gearbox, and casing have remained largely unchanged since the RB18. Newey stated, “The visible changes, which have garnered a lot of attention, are primarily aimed at achieving aerodynamic gains. However, the performance improvement resulting from these changes is not as significant as one might think. The more subtle modifications that have gone unnoticed are likely responsible for a greater improvement in performance.”
Newey also alluded to a potential weakness of the RB19 during the 2023 season, particularly evident at the Marina Bay Street Circuit used for the Singapore Grand Prix. He acknowledged that the team struggled to find the right balance on maximum downforce street tracks. Reflecting on their performance in Singapore, he admitted, “We made a bit of a mess of it and underperformed compared to what we could have achieved. With better execution, we could have definitely secured podium finishes there. However, it is true that these types of circuits are the ones where we have a smaller advantage. As long as we don’t perform disastrously on them, it might be sufficient.”
Red Bull’s only defeat in their record-breaking year came at the Singapore Grand Prix. Will they be able to achieve an even greater feat by winning all 24 races in 2024? Their pursuit of this goal continues at the Australian Grand Prix, which will take place on March 24th at 04:00 GMT (15:00 local time).