It may not be the extreme zero-pods that were predicted, but Red Bull have brought new sidepod inlets for the RB20 to the Suzuka circuit that include changes in the cooling and in the inlet of the sidepod’s scoop.
Putting a radical RB20 on the track as they moved away from
last year’s design philosophy and adopted parts from the previous years’
Mercedes ground-effect aerodynamic cars, it was reported that Red Bull could go
full zero-pod.
Red Bull have new sidepod… inlets
Japan, cooler than the first three races on the calendar,
was touted as the first race for the new design.
But while Red Bull have not gone down that path, the RB20 is
sporting new sidepod inlets. Redistributing the inlet areas for the
sidepod-mounted primary heat exchangers, Red Bull have, according to the FIA
notes, sought “the most efficient locations in terms of pressure inlet for the
area” with the intent of needing “less exit area which is beneficial
downstream.
