© LAT Images for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd
Red Bull has introduced Mercedes-like ‘zero sidepods’ in 2024, however, the team admits they are not sure if they can “successfully implement this solution”.
When Red Bull revealed its 2024 car, a lot of observers were very surprised, because the car featured some of the concepts that Mercedes had previously used and ultimately decided to abandon.
For example, Red Bull decided to included the full-length engine gulleys, similar to the ones that Mercedes had used in 2023.
Red Bull also decided to include slimmer sidepods, somewhat reminiscent of Mercedes’ controversial ‘zero sidepod’, which was introduced at the beginning of 2022, and then abandoned during the 2023 season.
So, while other teams have very much converged on Red Bull’s old designs, the Austrian team now seems to be ‘copying’ what are thought to be ‘failed’ designs of its opposition.
In an interview with Servus TV, Red Bull’s advisor Dr Helmut Marko said the team is still not sure if the solution will work on the track.
“They [Mercedes] were also convinced by the data of their sidepod-less concept, but in practice, it didn’t work at all,” the Austrian said.
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“We will now see in the tests whether we can successfully implement this solution, or let’s say a similar solution.
“Adrian Newey [Red Bull’s Chief Technical Officer] always favoured cars without radiators. But of course, the engine people can’t do that. That is logical.
“We don’t have it as extreme [as Mercedes], but we have it in a similar direction in terms of the idea.”
Marko added that the launch version of the Red Bull RB20 would form a basis for further development in 2024.
“It’s more than an evolution. It’s a small revolution. It is the basis of what will be used in 2024.
“In terms of simulation and the wind tunnel, it all worked very well,” he concluded.
