RacingNews365.com technical analyst Paolo Filisetti analyzed elements of this season’s engine that will be installed in the 2023 F1 Red Bull F1 “RB19” engine.
The Red Bull RB18 has become one of the most iconic cars in F1 history. If a car clearly dominates, there is an implicit rule that is always respected that the next car is only its evolution.
The Red Bull RB18 is arguably the best interpretation of the F1 technical regulations for 2022, as well as being the least affected by the mid-season regulatory changes (implementing Technical Directive No. 39, which came into force from Grand Belgian Prix). also a machine.
A defining feature of the Red Bull RB18 was its excellent control of the ‘drifting’ phenomenon which has reappeared in F1 cars this season as a legacy of ground effects. Aerodynamics such as floor geometry, front suspension geometry and visual simplicity allowed the RB18 to manage impact-inducing impacts. This effectively neutralized the bounce that was common in Ferraris and Mercedes.
To simplify the concept, we mechanically estimated the effect of active suspension, which is prohibited according to current technical regulations.
The performance of the RB18 was based on the perfect integration of aerodynamics and vehicle dynamics with the Honda RA622H power unit. The factor that ties the two together is the weight reduction in the car, which was over the 798kg limit at the start of the season.
Under the direct supervision of Adrian Newey, the team of designers led by Pierre Washet quickly established that one of the factors that could produce performance was the controlled control of the stiffness of the midsole. It was very important that the lateral marginal part is not deformed. This prevented the floor from creating an aerodynamic block at very low ride heights and did not cause destruction of the airflow structure under the car which could increase porpassing.
Throughout 2022, Red Bull Racing focused on weight reduction and gradual updates to the floor. At least 16 versions of the floor were created.
Even on the floor presented at Silverstone, where there was not much positive feedback, the information gathered throughout the season allowed the technical office to lay the foundations for the RB19 while maintaining the priorities that characterizes the development of the rice field RB18.
At the heart of the RB19 project is the overall weight reduction of the car. Also, the rear bottom chassis is shaped to allow for the cooling system to be partially covered.
Details RB19
While maintaining the strong ‘family feel’ of Red Bull cars, the RB19 follows two guidelines that characterize its profound redesign. Weight saving was the cornerstone of the project’s original objectives, starting already with the idea of a lighter chassis that was widely discussed over the summer and was never actually adopted.
The RB19 monocoque is around 3kg lighter than the previous model. Thanks to the new regulations, the elbow (the part that connects to the venturi channel) is 10mm higher and the side profile in front of the rear wheel is 15mm higher, Preventing the deformation of the peripheral part.
The arrangement of the gearbox case and the suspension elements should be characterized by increasing and narrowing the lower part of the venturi channel.
In terms of enhanced aerodynamics, the overall design of the side pods is characterized by a revised cutout under the side pods that creates a ‘double floor’ effect while maintaining strong contact points with the 2022 model year. The side pods extend behind to these cuts.
Visually, the RB19 is no surprise in terms of geometry, and although the structural solutions and vehicle dynamics of the RB18 are similar, it will be a very big evolution.
RB19 side view
The similarities between the RB19 and its predecessor are striking. Highlighted in the image above is the profile of the channel under the side pods, becoming more extreme towards the rear.
side pod inlet
The sidepods retain the characteristic shape of a square recess with a lower lip forming the upper edge of the lower front of the sidepod channel.
floor
Like the RB18 (see Silverstone’s evolution diagram), the floor is the cornerstone of the RB19’s aerodynamic concept. The areas where there is the most interference relate to the central area following the reduced flexibility allowed by the new regulations and the elbow of the diffuser. Engineers have reportedly managed to keep the weight of this element lower than the latest version for 2022.
Category: F1 / red bull / F1 machine
