F1 News: Red Bull RB20 Hits The Track, Albeit On The Sim - "Should Be Pretty Good!"
The Formula 1 off-season brings excitement as Jake Dennis, the Formula E world champion, shares his experience driving the Red Bull RB20 in the simulator. Speaking at the FIA Prize Giving Gala, Dennis expressed his enthusiasm for the potential of the new car, reflecting on his time with last year's model and his aspirations for the upcoming season.
Key Takeaways:
- Simulator Experience with RB20: Jake Dennis has been working with Red Bull's simulator for five years. His recent experience with the RB20 in the simulator has been positive, indicating promising performance for the upcoming season.
- Reflection on FP1 and Post-Season Test: Dennis recalls his exhilarating experience driving in FP1 at Abu Dhabi and completing a 125-lap post-season test, describing it as a significant moment in his career.
- Expectations for the RB20: With his experience on the simulator and past performances, Dennis anticipates the RB20 to be an impressive car, suggesting that it performs well in simulations and should translate to success on the track.
Jake Dennis, fresh off his Formula E World Championship triumph, is already deep into preparations for the next F1 season. He recently spent time in the simulator, getting acquainted with the Red Bull RB20, and expectations are high, to say the least. This experience, albeit virtual, has given him a unique perspective on what to expect from the car in real-world conditions.
At the FIA Prize Giving Gala in Baku, Dennis shared insights into his simulator work with Red Bull, a collaboration that spans half a decade. He reminisced about his opportunity to drive the RB19 in FP1 at Abu Dhabi, describing the sheer adrenaline rush of hitting corners at 300 kph and bracing for the intense G-forces.
"Honestly, like, I do all this simulator work with these guys for the past 5 years and Christian Horner gave me a bit of a heads up that I was going to be stepping into the car for FP1.
"There’s just nothing quite like it, you arrive at these corners at 300 kph and you’re breaking at the 100-metre and you try to brace yourself for the G-force you’re about to experience. There’s nothing that comes close, these cars are like rocket ships,” Dennis commented on his FP1 experience.
Dennis's involvement went beyond just Free Practice 1; he also participated in the post-season test, an experience he labels as one of the best in his career.
"Even at the end of Tuesday when I did a full 125 laps it was just immense. The best day of my career that I’ve had. Full credit to these guys for building something so special."
Looking forward to the new season, Dennis's expectations for the RB20 are sky-high, fueled by his simulation sessions.
"This car is insane. Hopefully, the RB20 should be pretty good. It goes pretty good on the simulator, I can confirm. So, we should be good for next year," he says, hinting at a competitive edge for the 2024 season..
While the likes of Max Verstappen and team chief Christian Horner are keen to maintain a sensible attitude - expecting a season nowhere near as successful as this year's - the idea of another Adrian Newey design certainly gets the blood pressure going. I just hope that other teams can make a big enough jump to challenge them.