P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull says jury out on whether it can make Mercedes-style F1 sidepods work
The Milton Keynes-based squad has made aggressive changes to its car this year, adopting concepts similar to Mercedes’ previous designs. These changes include high gulleys along the engine cover and minimalist sidepods with a vertical inlet, reminiscent of Mercedes’ zeropod version. Red Bull is rumored to be preparing an even more extreme sidepod solution for cooler races early in the season to reduce airflow to its radiators. Red Bull’s decision to follow Mercedes’ ideas has sparked intrigue, but Helmut Marko has cautioned that performance in real life may not match wind tunnel results. The upcoming Bahrain tests will determine if Red Bull’s new design can be successfully implemented in reality. Marko praised the RB20 as a small revolution and confirmed it as the basis for the team’s 2024 car, with positive results in simulations and wind tunnels leading to optimism for the season ahead.
