Intriguingly, elements of the world champion squad’s follow-up to last year’s all-conquering machine appear to echo previous Mercedes designs
JAKE BOXALL-LEGGE
SIDEPODS
Red Bull has bucked the trend it inspired, and has obfuscated the actual inlet configuration in its launch photography and car renders. It appears that the team has opted for vertical inlets, like the Mercedes W14’s original spec, while the leading edge of the sidepods has been extended forward to assist with the flow around the undercut. These launch-spec sidepods feature a minimal channel at the rear end, but the team’s deliberate veiling of the configuration here suggests that it may opt for a different direction at some point in the season. Bahrain testing will offer more clues.
FRONT END
Rather than follow the main trend of opting for a shorter nose, and hence a shorter crash structure at the front, Red Bull has elongated its nosecone and it now blends into the leading edge of the mainplane element. This is paired with a very generic front wing, suggesting that the team is being deliberately sparing with what it shows of its new car. Furthermore, the pullrod front suspension remains and the geometry looks similar to last season’s, so this may also be subject to change.
BODYWORK
On the engine cover, the majority have opted for a flat horizontal surface around the flared bodywork, but Red Bull has channelled it slightly instead. Again, this suggests similarities to the Mercedes 2023 approach. The ‘shoulders’ around the engine cover, which blend into the halo mounting, are elevated more than its predecessor and are turned down at the exits to expel hot air towards the beam wing. There also appea
