Red Bull finally revealed their 2022 Formula 1 season contender on the first day of testing. At a stroke, it became obvious why they were so secretive, displaying a show car at their ‘launch’ event two weeks ago.
The team which has so often innovated with its designs has produced another striking machine for a new set of regulations. Its overall design philosophy is clearly focused on aggressively optimising its aerodynamics in the signature style of chief technical officer Adrian Newey.
Perhaps the most eye-catching feature of the ‘real’ RB-18 is the sidepod. The concept is unlike any other seen in the field.
It aims to find a balance of creating downwash for the diffuser at the rear of the car and guiding the air through the aggressive undercuts. At the front of the sidepod, the Red Bull features a ‘shelf’ or ‘tray’ ahead of the inlet (1) in order to help separate the sidepod from the floor and further extend the lead-in to the aggressive undercut.
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