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Newey explains rejection of Mercedes ‘zeropod’ philosophy
Since the introduction of the current technical regulations in 2022, Red Bull has been the dominant force in Formula 1, winning 84.2% of races and losing only six grands prix. They took over from Mercedes, who won eight consecutive Constructors’ Championships between 2014 and 2021 but fell behind due to their “zeropod” philosophy, which caused bouncing issues. Red Bull stuck with their own aerodynamic direction and design, even though Mercedes showed flashes of competitiveness. The return to a focus on generating downforce under the car has been the biggest rule change since 1982, according to Red Bull’s Chief Technical Officer, Adrian Newey. The key to success lies in integrating the front and rear suspension with the underlying architecture of the car. Red Bull’s RB18 was conceived in a shorter time due to their involvement in the 2021 championship battle with Mercedes, where Max Verstappen emerged as the champion. Ferrari emerged as Red Bull’s closest rival in 2021 and focused on developing their 2022 car early.
Source: Motorsport Week
