Thanks to images from the 5.412 km Bahrain International Circuit located in Sakhir, Bahrain, we can see all the differences and unique features of the single-seaters. In this comparison, let’s examine the respective cars of Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull.
The third year of regulatory stability has confirmed the downwash philosophy introduced by Red Bull on almost all the single-seaters. However, there was a fear of extreme convergence among all 20 almost identical cars. Fortunately, the 2024 season has confirmed that it is not the case, and despite the slanting sidepods, all the cars have their own defined identity. Now, let’s compare the cars brought to Bahrain by Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull.
The editorial team of the f1ingenerale Italian website has collected various images during accreditation, capturing the cars in action on the track. To conduct this comparison, they positioned themselves at the beginning of the second sector, where the cars are slightly downhill, heading towards the braking point for turn 7. Despite not having perfect perspectives, especially on Ferrari, they can still make a comparison between the currently fastest three cars.
As expected, the RB20 is the performance reference above all others. Nevertheless, the others have managed to approach the performance (at least in a single lap) of the car from Milton Keynes. Observing the cars from the side, we can notice obvious similarities but also many differences. Common elements are concentrated in the initial area of the sidepods and Venturi channel inlets. Here, all teams have tried to maximize the size of this channel that directs air under the sidepods towards the rear. Red Bull is, of course, the car that exaggerates this concept the most, with Ferrari closely approaching the dimensions set on the RB20.
The comparison between the top three cars on today’s starting grid – Photo: Jacopo Moretti for F1inGenerale.com
The Mercedes is very interesting, choosing to implement a pronounced channel along the entire length of the sidepod. Moving slightly upwards in the view, we can compare the geometry of the sidepod itself, especially in the upper descending part. Ferrari and Red Bull adopt a softer and curved downwash philosophy on the outer edge of the sidepod, while the W15 is much more aggressive. The Mercedes significantly changes in the rear power unit and transmission area, which seems to have been shortened and moved back compared to the W14. This change led the Brackley technicians to modify the chassis as well, extending it to maintain the car’s wheelbase.
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Moving to the rear of the engine cover, known as the “cannons,” we can observe further differences between the cars. Ferrari seems to have created more space underneath, benefiting the flows that feed the beam wing. This is achieved through a completely redesigned pull-rod suspension to optimize the airflow in that area. Red Bull, on the other hand, seems to have further exaggerated these cannons, forcing the flows from the sidepods to feed the beam wing.
Source: f1ingenerale
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