Red Bull is planning to introduce a more extreme solution for its sidepods during the cooler races at the beginning of the season. This new design could potentially reduce airflow to the radiators even further. The team has taken an aggressive approach to revamping their car for the upcoming season, drawing inspiration from Mercedes’ previous designs. They have incorporated high gulleys along the engine cover and minimalistic sidepods, featuring a vertical inlet similar to Mercedes’ earlier zeropod version. Red Bull’s decision to adopt these Mercedes-inspired concepts has generated interest, but Helmut Marko, the team’s motorsport advisor, urges caution. He acknowledges the impressive performance of Mercedes’ zeropod solution in wind tunnel testing but highlights the disparity between theoretical results and real-world performance. Marko stresses the importance of the Bahrain tests in determining the practicality of Red Bull’s approach. He comments on Mercedes’ decision to discard their sidepod-less concept, stating that while they were initially convinced by the data, it ultimately failed in practice. The upcoming tests will reveal whether Red Bull can successfully implement a similar solution. Marko acknowledges that Red Bull’s approach is less extreme compared to Mercedes, but he emphasizes a shared direction in terms of the underlying concept. He notes that Adrian Newey, the team’s chief technical officer, prefers radiator-less cars but recognizes the limitations imposed by engine requirements. The launch car will serve as the foundation for the RB20, Red Bull’s vehicle for the upcoming season. Marko praises the significant improvements made to last year’s dominant RB19, describing the changes as more than just an evolution but rather a small revolution. He expresses confidence in the simulation and wind tunnel testing, indicating a positive outlook for the forthcoming season.
According to the Source formula1news.co.uk