Adrian Newey does not give in to the technical superiority of Ferrari . Even at Paul Ricard, the Milton Keynes team brought some novelties to update the RB18, but focused more on the details of the rear end that Max Verstappen complained about after the problems in Austria with excessive tire wear.
The rear of the RB18 featured another version of the beam wing, the lower wing that is back in style with the 2022 regulations. All, or the vast majority, had chosen two overlapping “louver” profiles, instead the Austrians they opted to go with two horizontal elements that became one on some weekends to reduce drag.
The beam wing compared to the rivals of the Red Bull RB18
Red Bull RB18 wing at the Austrian GP
In France they premiered a new evolution that takes the concept to the extreme: to begin with, we can say that Red Bull has interpreted the rules (the two profiles are within the volume authorized by the FIA rules) in the widest possible way, because the RB18 in the rear really has a triplane.
This is the new spoiler of the Red Bull RB18 that premiered at the French GP
The upper element of the beam spoiler is characterized by a long chord, but with a low incidence: this profile is fed by the most powerful flow, coming from an engine cover that has been widened well below the belt line of the car with a clear purpose, which is to help extract air.
And in the Motorsport Images photo we can see how the lower wing profile is just a continuation of the rear diffuser: it’s a solution that probably needs specific tuning, but could allow Red Bull to generate more downforce. without sacrificing efficiency.
Narrower engine cover at the bottom and hot air outlet higher up on the Red Bull RB18
The introduction of the bodywork with the narrow sides on the engine cover, which has caused the hot air outlets to move upwards, was therefore intended to introduce the new beam spoiler , and we would not be surprised if , as a consequence, a next evolution of the lower part will also arrive.
Newey did not expect a Ferrari capable of remaining so competitive throughout the championship, and he is firing all his bullets to regain the technical leadership he wants, especially after an important regulatory change such as the introduction of single-seaters with ground effect, something that English knows perfectly.
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