Red Bull Racing RB20. 23.02.2024. Formula 1 Testing, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day Three
The International Automobile Federation (FIA) has revealed the latest specifications for the 10 Formula 1 cars ahead of the season opener in Bahrain in 2024.
After dedicating the pre-season to creating new designs and collecting data from last week’s pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit, the teams have responded by striving to optimize their packages for this weekend’s race.
Despite initially appearing as the dominant favorites with their radically evolved RB20, Red Bull has decided to make several changes to further capitalize on their perceived advantage.
At the front of the car, modifications have been made to the front wing and endplates to improve downforce while maintaining stability.
Similarly, changes have been implemented to the nose to improve airflow to the front wing and the car’s bodywork.
The RB20’s side air intakes have been a topic of much discussion since the car’s debut, and the vertical intakes have been reshaped to better utilize pressure for radiator cooling, minimizing their impact on the floor’s edge.
Regarding the floor’s edge, while other teams try to replicate Red Bull’s design to enhance performance, the Milton Keynes-based team has drawn inspiration from other grid designs to create shapes that generate more aerodynamic downforce.
Moving to the rear of the car, additional cooling openings have been added to the RB20 to meet the temperature demands of the Bahrain circuit, and the engine cover has been reconfigured to optimize airflow towards the rear wing.
In the Mercedes W15, the front wing features an innovative design where the front element is separated from the nose, and the fourth element is reduced using a carbon fiber cable.
This design aims to improve airflow towards the rear of the car and reduce the drag generated by the front wing.
In contrast to Red Bull, the Mercedes W15 incorporates a triangular inlet in its side air intake to improve airflow to the radiators and increase performance at the rear of the floor.
The floor itself, a crucial component in the era of ground effect in F1, has undergone changes in its curvature and floor tunnel profile to generate more downforce and optimize airflow towards the rear diffuser.
A modified engine cover has been introduced to improve airflow towards the rear wing, and both the rear wing and beam wing have been upgraded to enhance aerodynamic efficiency.
The Ferrari SF-24 has undergone a subtle transformation compared to its competitors ahead of free practice on Thursday, with only three modifications. The sidepod inlet has been redesigned and raised to improve airflow through the bottom of the sidepod and around the rear of the floor. The engine cover has been expanded and now includes a centralized section of cooling openings, aiming to improve overall efficiency in that area. Finally, the SF-24’s rear suspension has been adjusted to better suit the overall development of the car’s bodywork.
In the 2023 development race, McLaren emerged as the unofficial champion thanks to a series of successful upgrades to their challenging MCL60. As they prepare for this year’s Bahrain GP, the MCL38 features four updated features. These include a modified sidepod inlet, a new shape for the engine cover, adjustments to the floor edges, and a new mounting for the rear wing. All of these changes have been implemented to improve efficiency and airflow while enhancing cooling performance and optimizing drag levels specifically for the Bahrain circuit.
Aston Martin faced challenges in last year’s development race and made efforts to create a more versatile AMR24 machine that can perform well on various circuits. The Silverstone-based team has introduced nine changes to their new challenger. The front wing now has a revised mounting position through the second element, aiming to improve load distribution and its interaction with other elements of the car. Additionally, the AMR24’s nose has been shortened to complement this alteration. The shape and edges of the floor have been revised to improve downforce, and the sidepod inlet has been raised along with increased undercut depth in the engine cover to optimize airflow towards the rear of the car. Changes in the layout of the rear suspension have resulted in modified rear brake ducts, and the internal elements of the beam wing are now mounted on the AMR24’s impact structure to improve overall performance.
Alpine presents its A524 vehicle as a “completely new” model for the 2024 season, but after a disappointing test, will its updated front wing and floor edges prevent it from lagging behind in the lower group of competitors?
In an attempt to surpass Alpine, Williams unveils the new FW46, a significantly modified car compared to its predecessor, with 14 changes made.
The FW45 proved to be a challenging vehicle to optimize, performing well only in specific low-downforce track configurations. For the 2024 season, the Grove-based team sought to address this issue. The result is a new front wing design, a remodeled nose, modifications to the front and rear suspension, a completely revamped floor structure with updated fences and edges, a new sidepod inlet, and an altered diffuser design. Additionally, the car features a new engine cover and engine layout specifically tailored to the cooling requirements of Bahrain. The rear wing and beam wing assembly have been redesigned, along with the geometry of the rear corner.
RB is a team to watch in 2024 as they transition from a junior team to a more mature team, making the most of Red Bull’s technical expertise allowed by the regulations. The VCARB 01 features revised front wing and front wing mounting, aiming to minimize downforce losses, along with several other modifications compared to its predecessor. The implementation of a new push-rod front suspension design has led to a revised front brake duct assembly, optimizing the downforce improvements gained from the front wing and front wing mounting. The floor, edges, and diffuser have been completely redesigned to improve downforce, while the profiles of the rear wing seek to enhance load efficiency. Additionally, the sidepod inlet, engine cover, and cooling openings have undergone a redesign to improve cooling and manage airflow towards the rear of the car.
The Sauber C44 features three significant changes. Firstly, the front suspension has transitioned from a push-rod system to a pull-rod system to maximize aerodynamic efficiency. Secondly, the engine cover and sidepods have been aggressively redesigned to maximize downforce and aerodynamic efficiency. Lastly, the floor has been completely revamped for the 2024 season to generate increased downforce.
Lastly, Haas acknowledges that it may face initial challenges in the 2024 season as it addresses inherited issues from its VF-23 car. The VF-24, Haas’ new vehicle, recorded the highest mileage during pre-season testing and has a total of 11 revisions. The front wing and its elements have been redesigned to improve flow conditioning. The introduction of a new sidepod inlet and a newly designed engine cover aims to improve cooling and airflow performance. Additionally, a new floor structure, redesigned fences and edges have been implemented to enhance overall performance. Haas has also made modifications to both the front and rear suspension and corners, with the effectiveness of these changes yet to be determined to close the gap to the rest of the field.
© 2024
Soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo was seen at a luxurious party on Saturday night. The sports star attended the event accompanied by his girlfriend, Georgina Rodríguez. The party, which took place at a mansion in Lisbon, was attended by several celebrities.
Ronaldo, known for his talent on the field, is also famous for his extravagant life off the sport. The player was spotted arriving at the party in a luxury sports car worth millions of euros. He was wearing an elegant suit and appeared to be in a good mood.
During the party, Ronaldo was seen engaging in lively conversations with other guests and dancing to loud music. He seemed to be having a great time and enjoying the night to the fullest. Georgina Rodríguez was also radiant and stunning in a glamorous dress.
Several photographers were present at the event and captured special moments of the couple. The photos quickly spread on social media, generating much speculation and fan comments. Many admirers praised the couple’s beauty and expressed their support for Ronaldo.
However, not all comments were positive. Some critics questioned Ronaldo’s decision to attend a party amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. They argued that the player should set an example and avoid unnecessary gatherings.
So far, Ronaldo has not commented on the controversy. He remains focused on his football career and is preparing for upcoming challenges. Meanwhile, his fans eagerly await more updates on his personal and professional life.
This is not the first time Ronaldo has been involved in controversies off the field. The player has faced accusations of tax evasion and has been the subject of rumors about his love life. However, he has always managed to overcome these obstacles and continue to shine in the world of football.