Mercedes hasn't been able to find success with the Zeropod, but can Red Bull figure out the secret? Looks like we'll find out soon.
F1's new regulatory era in 2022 begins with a variety of different interpretations of the ground effects regulations, with last season's leading teams Red Bull and Mercedes set to take very different paths in the design of their respective challengers. .
However, with Red Bull cementing its position as a dominant force in F1, Mercedes by early 2023 said its own take on the sidepod design, dubbed the 'zero pod', was the wrong approach. It was judged. However, while Mercedes didn't see any hope in the concept, Red Bull seems to have hope.
It is reported that Red Bull will release Zero Pod in Japan.
Red Bull was the last team to announce the RB20, a challenger to the 2024 F1, but the RB20's side pods adopt the vertical inlets used by Mercedes in last season's W14, and its design is It was quickly pointed out that it looked more like a Mercedes 2023. The engine cover includes a long cooling gully that runs the length of the cover from the Halo.
However, Motorsport.com reports that the RB20's sidepods will become even more Mercedes-inspired at the Japanese Grand Prix, round four of the 2024 F1 campaign, with Red Bull's Zero pods set to feature in the first major upgrade. seasonal package.
The publication reports that as the heat of pre-season testing in Bahrain and the season opener in the country continues, followed by Saudi Arabia and Australia, and giving way to cooler weather in Japan, Red Bull introduces an evolved version of its Zeropod concept It is reported that there are plans to do so. RB20.
Recommended by PlanetF1.com
Red Bull RB17: The £5m hypercar that inspired Adrian Newey
Ranked: All Mercedes cars since the Silver Arrows returned to F1
At the launch of the Red Bull RB20, Horner was asked by the media, including PlanetF1.com's Thomas Maher, about the drawing, which was apparently inspired by design elements from the latest Mercedes.
He claimed that it was not about “tactics” but rather “performance”.
“It's not tactical. It's based on performance and what we see through simulation tools,” Horner said.
“Obviously, the car definitely looks different than last year in certain areas.
“Only a stopwatch tells you that, but in a virtual world, I wouldn't have committed to the design if I didn't feel it was better.”
And after Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez put the RB20 through its early paces in a shakedown run at Silverstone, Red Bull design guru Adrian Newey said the RB20 “works as we expected. “I did,” he admitted.
“We pretty much know what we did in the shakedown at Silverstone, and as far as we know it seems to have behaved as expected,” he said.
“But that doesn't guarantee anything. Maybe other teams have made bigger leaps than us, we'll have to take a look at that.”
Red Bull will enter F1 in 2024 on a fast track to a third constructors' title, while Verstappen will aim to extend his winning streak in the drivers' championship to four.
Read next: Max Verstappen responds to comments about Mercedes' looks on the RB20
