Red Bull RB22

[FDD]

Sorry, its definetely not a "zeropod". Not even close

https://postimg.cc/4mHgnt4T

I'm not an expert and I saw that all guys said it is a "zeropod" or very close to it.
From what I see, and my logic, comparing to MERC's "zeropod" I absolutely agree with You, "not even close".

[organic]

The forward bluff sidepod may be primarily to pressurise that region strongly and drive more outwash, push even more air over the forward floor curl/stacked venetian blinds and power up that system as much as possible. Sacrifice the flow through to the diffuser/rear corner somewhat at the benefit of more forward floor extraction outboard.

More forward floor pressurisation will also control the tyre wake. There is a drag penalty to a more bluff sidepod but if the frontal area is smaller like red bull's then maybe you offset this enough

[Emag]

[ClassicLivery]

The frontwing endplate seems to feed the brakeduct which has an exit that controls tire wake…

[aral]

I still feel like the actual undercut may be 'blanked off' with a massive vanity panel here, although I appreciate that is far from ideal for testing and data. It just looks like everything under ORACLE is.. too smooth and bulbous? What would be in there? Is it for outwash? Anyway Bahrain will be fascinating.

https://i.postimg.cc/SxpwtgBf/image.png

I must admit that i rarely post here, but you are right. On one video shot of the car, it was pretty obvious that there was a false panel over the undercut. The joint was very clear and panel had a different finish. Further, there was visible sign that were it joined the floor, it had a deliberatly taped joint. And to cap it all, Red Bull use the undercut as a place to put sponsors ads....these are totally missing from the car, so probably there behind the modesty panel.

[Owen.C93]

I still feel like the actual undercut may be 'blanked off' with a massive vanity panel here, although I appreciate that is far from ideal for testing and data. It just looks like everything under ORACLE is.. too smooth and bulbous? What would be in there? Is it for outwash? Anyway Bahrain will be fascinating.

https://i.postimg.cc/SxpwtgBf/image.png

I must admit that i rarely post here, but you are right. On one video shot of the car, it was pretty obvious that there was a false panel over the undercut. The joint was very clear and panel had a different finish. Further, there was visible sign that were it joined the floor, it had a deliberatly taped joint. And to cap it all, Red Bull use the undercut as a place to put sponsors ads....these are totally missing from the car, so probably there behind the modesty panel.

I haven’t see any join at all. I think you’re just a bit mislead from the livery design which changes to matte lower down.

There’s nothing to hide by covering an undercut. It’s just their current aero design doesn’t use one, just like the RB15.

Maybe they’ll iterate, but there’s no misdirection here.

[vorticism]

I interpolated a front view of the AMR26 over the RB22. Scaled to the halo, corrected for angle. Close enough. The difference in area is incredible, particularly across the lower half of the sidepod volume. Empty on the AMR26, filled on the RB22. RB22 narrower through the top half, hence their faired crash structure.

[AR3-GP]

A lot of motion blur, but diffuser hole can be seen from the rear.

[AR3-GP]

[carisi2k]

I have a feeling that the bluff sidepod as people are calling it could disappear come either the second or third test.

[venkyhere]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G_7iqskX0AA ... name=large

This photo is a good one to show how they are achieving the y-direction deflection of a portion of the air that hits the sidepods straight on. If there was indeed an undercut, this y-direction deflection towards the venetian blind bargeboard would be 'lesser', and more share of the air would 'go to the rear'. In plan view, from the halo->coke-bottle it's a nice teardrop shape

[Henk_v]

I still feel like the actual undercut may be 'blanked off' with a massive vanity panel here, although I appreciate that is far from ideal for testing and data. It just looks like everything under ORACLE is.. too smooth and bulbous? What would be in there? Is it for outwash? Anyway Bahrain will be fascinating.

https://i.postimg.cc/SxpwtgBf/image.png

I must admit that i rarely post here, but you are right. On one video shot of the car, it was pretty obvious that there was a false panel over the undercut. The joint was very clear and panel had a different finish. Further, there was visible sign that were it joined the floor, it had a deliberatly taped joint. And to cap it all, Red Bull use the undercut as a place to put sponsors ads....these are totally missing from the car, so probably there behind the modesty panel.

I haven’t see any join at all. I think you’re just a bit mislead from the livery design which changes to matte lower down.

There’s nothing to hide by covering an undercut. It’s just their current aero design doesn’t use one, just like the RB15.

Maybe they’ll iterate, but there’s no misdirection here.

That takes me back to the same discussion here on the RB20 and the color of that panel leading to the suggestion is was permeable to air as we could nit find the inlet of the sidepod after the launch.

[Paa]

I have a feeling that the bluff sidepod as people are calling it could disappear come either the second or third test.

What would be the point of a vanity panel at the first test? I'm not saying it can not be, as it certainly looks like one, but still struggling to understand what is the point? If we figure it out, then other teams on the location would know just as well.

What would be the point of hiding an undercut, when other teams could figure out there would be one?
Unless something more tricky is going on, but I don't have the imagination to take a guess what else it could be.

[Badger]

I have a feeling that the bluff sidepod as people are calling it could disappear come either the second or third test.

What would be the point of a vanity panel at the first test? I'm not saying it can not be, as it certainly looks like one, but still struggling to understand what is the point? If we figure it out, then other teams on the location would know just as well.

What would be the point of hiding an undercut, when other teams could figure out there would be one?
Unless something more tricky is going on, but I don't have the imagination to take a guess what else it could be.

It doesn't have to be a vanity panel but could be a first iteration brought under time pressure. RB have been known to bring sidepod/cooling upgrades early in the year, or even in the pre-season. I am not expecting a huge difference by the time we get to Melbourne but at the same time I wouldn't be surprised if they brought something that was more sculpted.

[f1isgood]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G_7iqskX0AA ... name=large

Is the suspension mounting point far back in the front? Or what is that thing just in front of the bargeboards?