Motorsport Off Topic Thread

I wonder what it is that Red Bull have got right to make the car so damn consistant on virtually every single track.

Almost every other car seems to be massively sensitive to variables (track layout, track surface, temperature, altitude etc). However the RB was the fastest race car in every race.

It is interesting as we didn't have a consistent/obvious 2nd or 3rd etc fastest car through the season.

The main thing they seem to have got right is the drag. It seems to be a fantastically slippery car on the straights. Ive also read a lot about how it is possible RB are doing something clever with the suspension. I wonder if that makes the car massively more adaptable to different tracks.
 
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Jono8 said:
I wonder what it is that Red Bull have got right to make the car so damn consistant on virtually every single track.

Almost every other car seems to be massively sensitive to variables (track layout, track surface, temperature, altitude etc). However the RB was the fastest race car in every race.

It is interesting as we didn't have a consistent/obvious 2nd or 3rd etc fastest car through the season.

The main thing they seem to have got right is the drag. It seems to be a fantastically slippery car on the straights. Ive also read a lot about how it is possible RB are doing something clever with the suspension. I wonder if that makes the car massively more adaptable to different tracks.
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The suspension is what helped them curve out the bouncing early, and I think McLaren (and possibly AM) have adopted this.

Hopefully the other teams find more consistency next year but I think RB have been working on next years car for much longer than them, and from a much stronger base.
 
Jono8 said:
I wonder what it is that Red Bull have got right to make the car so damn consistant on virtually every single track.

Almost every other car seems to be massively sensitive to variables (track layout, track surface, temperature, altitude etc). However the RB was the fastest race car in every race.

It is interesting as we didn't have a consistent/obvious 2nd or 3rd etc fastest car through the season.

The main thing they seem to have got right is the drag. It seems to be a fantastically slippery car on the straights. Ive also read a lot about how it is possible RB are doing something clever with the suspension. I wonder if that makes the car massively more adaptable to different tracks.
Click to expand...

I noticed a stat that in the 2nd half of the season (McLaren's big upgrade) they scored more points than anyone but Red Bull in the 13 races with the "better car" and seemed to consistently be in the top 4 (Vegas aside) - I'm hoping they start next season a little closer to RB, would be nice to see them actually able to battle Max in a race.
 
chrismscotland said:
I noticed a stat that in the 2nd half of the season (McLaren's big upgrade) they scored more points than anyone but Red Bull in the 13 races with the "better car" and seemed to consistently be in the top 4 (Vegas aside) - I'm hoping they start next season a little closer to RB, would be nice to see them actually able to battle Max in a race.
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It would be great, but Mercedes did the same last season and looked like they'd caught up with RB by the end.
 
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hudson86 said:
It would be great, but Mercedes did the same last season and looked like they'd caught up with RB by the end.
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I'd say Mercedes didn't look quite as consistent at the end of last year as McLaren have (with both drivers generally) in the latter part of 2023. I think Russell's in in Brazil papered over a lot of cracks, his run of the last 5 races of 2022 win aside was poor although Hamilton had a decent run of seconds!
 
Perez isn't going anywhere. He's exactly what Red Bull need - quick enough to pick up points, slow enough not to rock the boat and challenge Max.

Yes, it makes the championship a bit dull when they dominate. Yes, it will/may/hopefully change next year if they don't have the car advantage they've enjoyed for the last 2 years, but for now he's nailed to that seat.
 
Jono8 said:
I wonder what it is that Red Bull have got right to make the car so damn consistant on virtually every single track.

Almost every other car seems to be massively sensitive to variables (track layout, track surface, temperature, altitude etc). However the RB was the fastest race car in every race.

It is interesting as we didn't have a consistent/obvious 2nd or 3rd etc fastest car through the season.

The main thing they seem to have got right is the drag. It seems to be a fantastically slippery car on the straights. Ive also read a lot about how it is possible RB are doing something clever with the suspension. I wonder if that makes the car massively more adaptable to different tracks.
Click to expand...
I feel like their car has the widest optimal window. (Or they are just masters of getting it in the exact window every track...) Remember they did have that one race where they missed so i guess its not completely fool proof.

As someone else mentioned i watched a vid where a guy was saying its down to their front suspension. Apparently only them and Mclaren have the same setup. Push rod vs pull rod and how its mounted maybe? And apparently its not something you can just change without redesigning the rest of the car. I'll see if i can find it. Could be a load of old balls obviously... :D I think Newey is just a beast of a designer and Max can drive whatever is under him to the fullest of his abilities, which seems to be the perfect combo.
 
KiNgPiN83 said:
I feel like their car has the widest optimal window. (Or they are just masters of getting it in the exact window every track...) Remember they did have that one race where they missed so i guess its not completely fool proof.

As someone else mentioned i watched a vid where a guy was saying its down to their front suspension. Apparently only them and Mclaren have the same setup. Push rod vs pull rod and how its mounted maybe? And apparently its not something you can just change without redesigning the rest of the car. I'll see if i can find it. Could be a load of old balls obviously... :D I think Newey is just a beast of a designer and Max can drive whatever is under him to the fullest of his abilities, which seems to be the perfect combo.
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Yeh. I'm no engineer, but creating a suspension that is able to adapt really well and make the aerodynamics work correctly on any track would make sense to me, as to why they are so consistent.
 
KiNgPiN83 said:
Remember they did have that one race where they missed so i guess its not completely fool proof.
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That was Singapore where they knew they would be rubbish though. They’re consistent to me, points to the suspension meaning they can run super low all the time. We saw in Austin how fast Merc were when they ran lower than allowed. Personally I wouldn’t be surprised if RB were exploiting some loophole to make the suspension amazing and it’ll come out in the wash eventually. But for now, I’d say it must be something to do with that combined with a clever floor.

Like you said, it’s not just the fact they are fast, but so consistently fast compared to other teams that simply aren't from one circuit to the next.
 
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