Thread by @NorthHertsSam

The Red Bull RB20 is something of a mystery machine, despite having been shaken down at Silverstone a while ago very few pictures of it are in circulation at the moment. Short tech observation thread.
#F1Testing #F12024 #F1 #RB20

While Red Bull did issue some launch renders these are never particularly reliable sources, so I’m not going to use those much here.

Despite having already had a shakedown Red Bull did hold a proper launch for the RB20, though how much of the car that was revealed is actually the true RB20 is unclear. Despite this let’s take a closer look.

The nose of the launch spec RB20 is quite interesting, as most of the field has adopted a RB19 inspired short nose, Red Bull has switched to a longer nose picking up on the leading element of the front wing.

As expected by everyone Red Bull has retained its pull rod front suspension layout. Likely giving a front bulkhead layout similar to the RB19 (pictured)

The real interest in this car starts behind this point, and the overall design is more than slightly reminiscent of the early season Mercedes W14.

While Red Bull has gone to some lengths to prevent anyone getting a proper look at the car in some images it appears to have a vertical sidepod inlet, very similar to the ‘zero pod’ Mercedes last year.

Notably the RB20 does not feature the protruding lower edge of the sidepod duct, and instead has an upper extension, rather like the W14.

Crucially on the W14 this extension housed the upper side impact structure, on the Red Bull it does not.

The zero pod concept was possible on the Mercedes as a result of some clever spaceship derived cooler technology as well as moving the cockpit slight further forward, something Lewis Hamilton disliked.

It is not clear if Red Bull and Honda now have access to the same cooling technology, or if the RB20 cockpit has shifted (first impression is that it has not - but hard to say).

Of course this assumed that Red Bull has copied the Mercedes layout and technology and that is far from certain. Rumours of a major upgrade in this area at Suzuka abound - so lets wait and see.

Looking at the rear engine cover this clearly is directly inspired by the W14, the drag reducing shape is clear to see. The bulges don’t really house anything, their purpose is purely aerodynamic.

This shape itself is inspired by the 2022 Ferrari F1-75 sidepods!

Looking at the sidepod from the rear it is clear that the launch spec RB20 is really only vaguely indicative of the real thing (note the floor edge). A small bulge to house the lower side impact structure can be seen.

The roll hoop and airbox on the RB20 has been significantly altered, with a slightly more rectangular shape, and an A shaped roll over structure, suggesting an increase in centre line cooling.

The single thin central support has been replaced with twin remote supports. Possibly as a result of rule changes in this area.

Just a quick glimpse of the rear push rod suspension.

I think that I’ll leave it there for now until we get a proper look at this car in Bahrain.