Red Bull Racing has revealed the inspiration behind its 2024 Formula 1 car, explaining that it wanted to avoid reaching a limit with its concept. The team surprised many by unveiling the RB20 challenger, which featured significant modifications compared to its previous title-winning car, the RB19. One notable change is the vertical sidepod inlet, similar to the Mercedes ‘zeropod’ solution. Red Bull also took inspiration from Mercedes with a deep engine gulley. Red Bull Technical Director Pierre Wache acknowledged that there was some conservatism in adopting design choices that their rivals had abandoned. However, he emphasized the importance of prioritizing performance over personal preferences, stating that the team ultimately chose what was better for their system and stopwatch.
Wache has revealed the reasoning behind Red Bull’s decision to make significant changes to their successful platform, expressing concerns that their competitors could take advantage of their diminishing returns. According to Wache, the decision was based on simulations and data, recognizing the need for significant improvement as other teams catch up. While acknowledging that their concept had reached a plateau, Wache emphasized the importance of taking risks and making bold moves to achieve a different rate of development. This strategic shift was aimed at providing the team with the freedom to implement a new overall strategy.
Max Verstappen’s impressive performance during pre-season testing helped alleviate any doubts surrounding Red Bull’s aggressive design choices. Wache clarified that the team never viewed these choices as a gamble, but rather as calculated risks with the potential for greater performance gains. He emphasized that their decisions were not based on unknown factors, but rather on a clear direction and the necessary steps to achieve it. Wache emphasized the team’s commitment to minimizing risks through thorough research and analysis, giving credit to the aero team for their excellent work in this regard.