In the 2022 Formula 1 pre-season tests at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, it was noted that many teams have used fans in the keel of the chassis, above the one known as the tea tray of the single-seaters.
The technical regulations of the Great Circus for this course allow the designers to open a small air intake to allow the cooling of the power unit and the cockpit.
It is clear that if ventilation systems are used, they have not been used at their maximum splendor due to the scarce 18 degrees of temperature that were reached on the Catalan track, and the only option corresponds to avoiding overheating of the multiple control elements that make up the single-seater.
In fact, with the introduction of the Venturi channels on the sides of the bodywork, which have given way to great creativity on the part of the engineers to attach the pontoons to these, the teams had to look for other ways of housing the electronics, which in previous years it was located in the lower part of the floor, under the radiators.
With the need to move these units, it was essential to open the cooling intakes to prevent temperatures from rising out of control.
Red Bull Racing RB18: fan that cools the control units
In particular, the Red Bull RB18 has a long vertical slot, and someone thought it might contain laser sensors to control minimum ground clearance, essential given the problem most teams are having with porpoising .
The actual performance of the RB18 remains to be seen, as it seems that the Austrians held some cards in the Barcelona tests. On the last day of testing they finished behind the Mercedes, with Sergio Pérez ahead of the current world champion, Max Verstappen, who has renewed with a new contract with astronomical figures.
Red Bull, following the times set by all the drivers in Spain, would have finished in a virtual classification in third place with the Mexican and in sixth with the Dutchman, although with a harder tire step in the case of Checo and two for Verstappen Regarding the Mercedes.
The acid test will come in the first race weekend of 2022, at the Bahrain Grand Prix, which will be held from March 18 to 20 in Shakir.
