The new generation of ground effect single-seaters opened with three major aerodynamic concepts. Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes began with extremely different designs.
Two years later, the third iteration of these single-seaters has seen most teams converge towards one approach. However, some of the RB20’s solutions are radically different compared to the ultra-dominant RB19.
Ferrari had started out much better than Mercedes in 2022, with the F1-75 working well everywhere. However, top-speed issues and a flawed baseline prevented the Scuderia from consistently challenging Red Bull.
The Scuderia’s next car destroyed its tyres due to poor handling and insufficient load.
Mercedes had a dramatic 2022 from a concept perspective. The W13 was plagued by high drag and suffered from severe bouncing.
This car always used large wings that left it exposed over race trim. The Mercedes W14 was a step forward on several fronts but fell short of the team’s ultimate objectives.
They were nowhere near Red Bull despite finishing second in the final standings. If anything, several teams (Aston Martin, McLaren and Ferrari) were ahead of the Silver Arrows at various points.
Undoubtedly, the failure of that zero-pods concept left its mark, eventually leading to Mike Elliott leaving the team. The former technical director was slowly pushed to the margins after the reintegration of James Allison.
Nonetheless, it should not be forgotten that Elliott’s W14 presented some new solutions at Silverstone that would have opened a new path towards the W15.
In the end, many of these ideas were surprisingly taken up by Red Bull’s Newey and Wachè.
In the updated specification, the aerodynamics of the bellies had been completely revised. The ports are completely redesigned below the advanced diverter containing the upper anti-intrusion cone.
It was not possible to open an important undercut without touching the frame design. However, the sides were already moving towards the downwash design used by Red Bull and now everyone else.
Without reviewing the dimensions of the gearbox and the geometry of the rear suspension, Mercedes were limited in their areas for improvement. Ultimately, this forced them to postpone many of their changes to 2024
A key innovation introduced by Mercedes was the introduction of two large “cannons” towards the rear wing.
Adrian Newey, the ever-great observer, instructed aerodynamicists to test something with a similar design last year.
On the one hand, it is surprising Red Bull implemented so many of the solutions of the RB20. It is equally surprising that Brackley abandoned many of their ideas from 2023 to redesign their entire platform.
In all likelihood, the decision to rethink the entire car, saving nothing of that development, pushed Mike Elliott to leave.
The British aerodynamic expert is on the gardening leave. From what we have learned, he is on the Alpine list as the first option for a landing or, rather, a return to Enstone in 2025.
It is an interesting technical decision, one which, for opposite reasons, unites and, at the same time, divides Mercedes and Red Bull. We will soon see who has been rewarded the most.
Author: Giuliano Duchessa
Translation: Jaden Diaz-Ndisang
