Contrary to what the team says, Red Bull’s modifications for the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix are more significant.
Red Bull Racing has downplayed the extent of modifications made to its Formula 1 car for the Spanish Grand Prix, emphasizing that these changes primarily aim to improve cooling. Despite the low-key presentation, the adjustments could have significant impacts on the car’s performance.
World champion Max Verstappen, after Friday’s sessions at Barcelona, characterized the updates as minor. “I mean, they were very tiny,” he said. “It’s nothing, nothing too big.” This sentiment was echoed in Red Bull’s official FIA submission, which described the sidepod inlet adjustments as preparations for potentially warm European races. The team’s simulations indicated that these modifications would reduce the need for additional exit louvre openings.
Although the size of the inlets has been tweaked, substantial work has also been done by Red Bull’s aerodynamic team to optimize the undercut and beltline shapes, which will likely enhance overall performance. The primary change involves the lower vertical inlet, which now features two kick points, creating a wider opening at the top and bottom while narrowing the central section. This design results in a deeper curvature in the top section of the undercut, opening more space beneath the sidepod and allowing for a raised beltline that improves the sidepod’s interface with the floor.
Red Bull has also reworked the rear of the car, introducing a new beam wing arrangement that necessitated modifications to the lower portion of the endplate. The team noted that the previous endplate design did not utilize the full width permitted by regulations. The revised endplate is now more fanned out, enabling the designers to extend the beam wing outwards and increase each element’s span.
While these changes might appear subtle, their strategic nature indicates Red Bull’s relentless pursuit of performance gains. The new geometry of the sidepod and the enhanced beam wing arrangement are expected to yield downstream benefits, potentially giving Red Bull a competitive edge in the coming races.
As the Spanish Grand Prix unfolds, the impact of Red Bull’s carefully crafted updates will be closely watched. The team’s ability to combine minor tweaks with strategic aerodynamic enhancements could make a significant difference in their quest for championship dominance.
