Red Bull Racing has just unveiled its highly anticipated Formula 1 car for the 2024 season, and to the surprise of many, the RB20 showcases some design elements reminiscent of those abandoned by Mercedes-AMG last year.
One striking similarity is the presence of long cooling gulleys running from the halo to the rear of the engine cover, a design feature previously seen on Mercedes’ W14. Mercedes retained this design despite moving away from their ‘zeropod’ sidepod concept.
Another resemblance is the vertical sidepod radiator inlet, reminiscent of the configuration seen on Mercedes’ W13 during the era of the ‘zeropod’ design. This choice raises questions considering its previous lack of success with Mercedes.
Despite these similarities, the RB20 maintains a familiar front end, although adjustments may be made before pre-season testing in Bahrain, according to observations.
Max Verstappen commented on the notable differences between the RB20 and its predecessor, expressing optimism about the team’s progress and eagerly anticipating testing to assess the car’s performance.
The decision to adopt these design elements from a rival team, akin to the Kansas City Chiefs incorporating players from a non-playoff team, is certainly unconventional and has drawn attention from within the F1 community.
Sergio Perez praised the team’s boldness in revamping their concept after a dominant season with the RB19, emphasizing the dedication and hunger required to continuously push boundaries in the sport.
The RB19’s impressive track record, including 21 wins out of 23 races and numerous accolades, sets a high standard for the RB20 to meet in the upcoming season.
