According to rumors, Red Bull suffered a huge setback during a crucial pre-season test.
In a remarkable turn of events before of the highly anticipated 2024 Formula One season, Red Bull’s ambitions appear to have struck an early stumbling block, throwing doubt on the prowess of their future car.
According to Motorsport Italia, the team’s new RB20 machine failed a major frontal crash test relating to the chassis in December, raising questions about safety and the FIA’s critical homologation approval.
This – as-yet unverified – test failure could be linked to Red Bull’s attempt to fulfill the minimal weight requirement of 798 kilos, pushing the limits as they make daring choices to create the lightest feasible nose.
How serious is the reported setback?
Aside from weight considerations, the team’s approach is consistent with the goal of a more responsive and sensitive front end. While a lighter nose may pose a risk in crash tests, it corresponds to the precision and preferences of their three-time world champion, Max Verstappen, who specializes at creating oversteer and requiring few steering inputs.
The looming concern is the severity of the rumored setback and its implications as the Formula One season begins with pre-season testing in Sakhir from February 19-21, followed by the Bahrain Grand Prix a week later.
Red Bull, no accustomed to overcoming obstacles, encountered a frontal crash test failure with their 2022 car, a setback that proved insignificant as they went on to set multiple records and win a double championship.
