During the first two free practice sessions for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Red Bull's progress in the car's balance progress was on display. The reigning world champions have been struggling for form of late and has not taken to the top step of the podium since the Spanish Grand Prix in June. Red Bull entered the race weekend in Azerbaijan with an updated floor. However, one very relevant fact behind the improvement in Baku seems to be a modification of the diffuser, which is clearly based on the same element at Ferrari. The altered diffuser, which is not entirely new, is now characterised by a keel profile in the middle, radically changing the central profile of the Venturi channels. The profile is very similar to that applied to the SF-24 at Monza, which had a positive effect for Ferrari in reducing porpoising, which has been a concern for the Italian team this year. This is not, however, a final modification to the underside of the car at Red Bull as more changes should follow in Austin. In any case, it seems that the new volume of Venturi ducts has changed the pressure of the outgoing power, in such a way as to create a better dynamic balance in the RB20. It will certainly be interesting to watch the remainder of the weekend in Baku and see if it is an indication that Red Bull's engineers have taken the right direction to make the RB20 fully competitive again. Check out Red Bull's new component below!
Most read
