Mauri HarperMercedes F1’s Toto Wolff is unfazed by Red Bull’s RB20 mirroring last year’s W14 technology. He believes the adaptation signifies a bold, innovative step for the reigning champions, focusing on ground effect enhancements.
Mercedes F1 is not surprised to see Red Bull adopting technical solutions that were featured on its W14 last year, on the new RB20. Team principal Toto Wolff has outlined the reasons he expected such adaptations.
“There are a few elements they’ve taken from our car,” Wolff told ORF. “It’s not just the zero sidepod, we also had this sculpted engine cover, which we called ‘The Great Wall’, and they have adopted it.”
Red Bull’s Bold Tech Evolution
“It’s not wonderful from an aesthetic point of view, but it makes sense. However, the real performance lies beneath the floor. These are ground effect cars, where downforce and mechanical handling characteristics also come into play.”
“And that’s where they’ve been very strong in recent years, and there has probably been further development, but not as radical a concept change as one might think at first glance with the bodywork.”
The Austrian, however, commends the reigning champions for daring to try a new concept: “It’s an extremely bold move. Because had they proceeded conservatively, they would have continued to develop a very good car.”
“But data will always guide you in development, and the data probably showed that what they’re doing with the new car, these new developments, actually brings significantly more downforce or better handling characteristics.”
“Otherwise, Red Bull wouldn’t have done it. And they have always been innovative in recent years, they were the benchmark team. And in that respect, I’m convinced they knew what they were doing.”
Red Bull’s RB20 Echoes Mercedes W14 Tech. Red Bull’s RB20 Echoes Mercedes W14 Tech
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