P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull’s shift of concept with its 2024 Formula 1 challenger, the RB20, has drawn comparisons to previous Mercedes designs
The RB20 was unveiled at Red Bull’s Milton Keynes Headquarters on Thursday, February 15, showcasing an aggressive vertical inlet sidepod configuration and steep-shouldered engine cover that caught everyone’s attention. The new design marked a departure from the dominant RB19, surprising many with its similarities to concepts Mercedes had abandoned in 2023. Toto Wolff commended Red Bull for their bold steps in evolving their winning formula, recognizing their focus on data-driven performance improvements. Despite acknowledging some similarities with their former cars, Wolff emphasized the critical role of the underfloor in modern F1 ground-effect cars, suggesting Red Bull’s changes may not be as radical as perceived on the surface. In contrast, Mercedes took a more ‘traditional’ development path with the W15 compared to Red Bull’s radical shift, opting for what they believe is a better overall platform after reassessing their previous zeropod concept.
