Those mirror winglets weren't present in RB20 I suppose?
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tsunoda at the post-season abu dhabi test with those winglets already presentkediown wrote: ↑26 Feb 2025, 11:08https://hizliresim.com/1bzmo94
Those mirror winglets weren't present in RB20 I suppose?
The first images of the Red Bull RB21 on track had raised some doubts for an excessively close resemblance to the 2024 car, not showing a profound evolution that could have been expected to solve the problems that emerged last season. Christian Horner was quick to warn, however, that the RB21 should not be judged only by aesthetic changes and that Red Bull's development work over the winter had mainly focused on the less visible parts. "Every surface on our car is different to last year's," Horner said. " I think this car, even if it doesn't look very different visibly to last year's car, is subtly different in a lot of different areas and particularly in the areas where you can't see."
Changed radiator positioning to gain further aerodynamic benefits
Among these there is certainly the cooling of all the components of a car, including clearly the internal combustion engine but also the hydraulics and electrical parts. Precisely in this regard, Pierre Waché's technicians made an important decision on the cooling system, which had been revolutionized on the RB20, with a particular and unique packaging compared to the competitors, and which would have been complex to replicate by the rivals . In the end, after just one season, it was Red Bull itself that tweaked the internal packaging with a different positioning of the radiators, both in the upper part of the RB21 and in the side pods.
While the radiators that were connected to the innovative, but never truly functional, cooling inlets positioned behind the cockpit have disappeared next to the airscope, in the belly the radiators have been miniaturized and, the one positioned lowest, also raised in the rear part. This has allowed the aerodynamicists of the former world champion team to free up some space between the bottom and the belly and it is no coincidence that the connection between these two important macro parts has been largely revised.
This solution was made possible precisely thanks to the relocation of the internal radiating masses which freed up significant space in the lower part of the chassis, where the sidepods and floor connect. The primary need of Pierre Waché and his men was to find new volumes and space (partly still available to the team) for the design of the floor , so as to differently manage the flows that pass under the single-seater and above the pavement, and this required considerable internal work.
But are they still limited with a stiff suspension setup, that was a major drawback last year. I don't know if you can evaluate that well in Bahrain.Waz wrote: ↑26 Feb 2025, 21:23There wasn't much visible difference between RB18 and 19, and we're probably seeing a similar development plan here from 20 to the 21.
Upper aero surfaces weren't the issue last year, so maybe not a surprise to see the focus on internal changes that can offer more development options in the floor.
