Red Bull plots McLaren challenge with new F1 Imola GP updates

Red Bull Plots McLaren Challenge with New F1 Imola GP Updates

Red Bull has introduced a new sidepod package for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix as they continue to chase championship leader McLaren.

Following a revised floor in Miami, the RB21 now features reshaped sidepods in Imola. Red Bull has altered its inlet arrangement, moving closer to McLaren's design with a partially detached 'overbite' and an extended outer tip where the mirror is now attached. The actual sidepod inlet is set back to align with a vertical inlet on the chassis side, creating a P-shaped inlet. Red Bull states this provides "a re-optimisation of the inlet, surrounding geometry and stays to gain overall aerodynamic efficiency."

Further aerodynamic performance boosts come from a revised fairing for a rear suspension member, plus revised wheel bodywork and ducts at the rear corner.

Competitor Updates:

• McLaren: New aerodynamic components around the rear corner for "improved flow conditioning and overall increase in rear aerodynamic load," plus a higher-downforce rear wing and beam wing for the Imola circuit.
• Ferrari: Introduces a higher-downforce rear wing, revises rear brake scoop geometry and winglets for performance gains.
• Mercedes: Focuses on the front with a new front wing to rework the flow field, modified front suspension fairings, and minor bodywork changes to improve flow towards the rear wing.
• Aston Martin: Seven changes including new floor body, edge, and diffuser components to extract more downforce from the underbody, with bodywork reformed to suit.
• Haas: Revised floor aimed at consistent performance across ride heights, with updated front floor contraction, floor edge, and diffuser expansion rate. Also addresses rear corner winglets, ducts, and suspension fairings.
• Racing Bulls: New bodywork and floor offering more 'local' downforce.
• Alpine: New front wing and marginally revised rear bodywork, in addition to front suspension geometry and brake ducts registered but not used in Miami.