F1 News: Max Verstappen Outlines Major Differences Between RB19 And RB20
Red Bull Racing opted for a fresh design approach with their RB20, diverging from the successful RB19. Following the Bahrain race, Max Verstappen shared his insights, noting the RB20's familiar yet enhanced driving experience.
Key Takeaways:
- Red Bull Racing decided against further developing the RB19, introducing the new RB20 with cautious optimism.
- Max Verstappen finds the RB20 to offer a similar, if slightly improved, driving feel compared to the RB19, particularly at lower speeds.
- Despite initial uncertainties, Verstappen acknowledges the team's effective use of simulations and wind tunnel testing in the RB20's development.
After clinching the 2023 title with the RB19, Red Bull Racing faced a pivotal decision for the coming season. The team, led by the visionary Adrian Newey and his team, concluded that evolving the RB19 further wasn't viable, opting instead for a novel direction with the RB20 to cut off team's looking to copy their outgoing design.
This shift brought about a mixture of anticipation and scepticism, with the racing community eager to see if the new design could live up to its predecessor from the get-go.
Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion, expressed satisfaction with the RB20 after his first race in Bahrain.
He commented:
"I think the feeling in the car is pretty similar, just a little bit better," he said.
"Last year's car was already very good with some tiny improvements here and there. Especially a bit more low speed, the car just feels a bit better.
"But overall, when I jumped in it didn't feel like a completely different car to drive or whatever. So that was positive."
Despite the positive feedback, Verstappen didn't shy away from admitting his initial reservations. The transition to a new car design naturally brings about a degree of uncertainty.
Verstappen revealed his apprehension, stating:
"It is always a little bit of a question mark. If you look at the car you're like, 'oh is this going to work?'
"But clearly they have done their homework, they trust all the simulations and also the wind tunnel and it has shown the last few years that they have been very good at it."
The team's strategic decision to innovate, coupled with their rigorous validation processes, appears to have paid off. But with Adrian Newey teasing further substantial development, how far can they go?