Red Bull remove engine cover ‘cannons’

Red Bull have removed the distinctive engine cover ‘cannons’ from their RB20 as part of the biggest update the team has introduced so far this season.

The engine cover extensions were an eye-catching addition to the team’s new design for 2024 as they strongly resembled those used on Mercedes’ unsuccessful 2023 car, the W14. Red Bull says they have been removed as a “circuit specific” alteration for this weekend, suggesting they may return at later rounds.

The team appears to plan to switch between the bodywork configurations for different tracks. If so, it would be no surprise to see them revert to their previous set-up for the next race at Spa-Francorchamps, a high-speed track where temperatures are often much cooler.

The new, flatter bodywork is intended to provide more effective cooling for the RB20 at what is expected to be one of the hottest races of the season so far.

Together with revisions to the sidepods, Red Bull say the new design offers “better cooling efficiency… for a high ambient temperature and relatively slow circuit with the revised geometry by reducing the load losses in such conditions from the exits.”

Red Bull has made one further circuit-specific alteration as a result of the change. It has reshaped the fairings around its Halo to improve the airflow over the upper bodywork towards the rear wing.

The team introduced an upgrade to its floor on Max Verstappen’s car at the previous race. The driver said the team need to unlock more performance from its car as they have faced stronger competition from rivals McLaren and Mercedes in recent races.

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The RB20 sports three further performance upgrades this weekend. All four elements of the front wing have been reshaped. “Knowledge from the previous wings has allowed us to extract more load form revised profiles without affecting flow stability and protect downstream consequences,” say Red Bull.

Red Bull has also revised the shroud around the forward leg of the front lower wishbone. This has an important aerodynamic effect ahead of the entry to the car’s floor, and Red Bull say the change will increase the pressure downstream.

Finally, Red Bull have altered the rear wheel bodywork with a view to improving the air intake pressure at the brake and caliper. The ultimate goal is to improve aerodynamic efficiency rather than braking performance.