'Tall sidepods on RB20 are only temporary, zero sidepod after Jeddah'
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Rumors
After the RB20 was unveiled, comparisons were quickly drawn with Mercedes' W14. The team have looked at the Mercedes car of recent years and want to switch to an idea that originated on the W13. Autosport.com knows the reason for this.
This design is there for the hot conditions of the first few race weekends in Bahrain, Australia and Saudi Arabia and the pre-season testing, also in Bahrain. In early April, when the F1 circus comes down to Japan, the team will switch to a sidepod reminiscent of the zero-pod that Mercedes never managed to bring to its full potential in 2022 and 2023. According to Mercedes, by shrinking the bodywork and increasing the floor area, you could create more downforce.
Design for Mercedes was disappointing
Despite the car's good performance in the wind tunnel and simulations, it did not turn out as well on track. The window in which they could be used optimally was too small due to bumps in the race tracks.