Formula One’s season-opening salvo finally came to a close on Thursday when the last of this year’s challengers was unveiled by Red Bull. Pleasingly, given what for the most part has been a series of low-key whimpers with cars largely revealed online only with little fanfare and little detail, it ended with something of a bang. Red Bull have likely left their competitors feeling nervous before a wheel has turned in anger.
The launch of the RB20 had unsurprisingly been dominated by the appearance of Christian Horner, the team principal, who was speaking publicly for the first time since an investigation was launched almost two weeks ago after a complaint from an employee about his conduct.
Related: ‘I built this team’: Horner confident he will stay at Red Bull despite inquiry
He repeatedly issued denials there was any truth in the allegations, while also dutifully trying to draw attention to the new car on show at the event. It was largely a forlorn task. Until the investigation concludes, Horner will retain at least equal billing with his car.
Their competitors, however, would have been observing the new ride with no little diligence and when the RB20 emerged into the light, it would have caused a sharp intake of breath.
For two years Red Bull have utterly dominated F1. Their interpretation of the new regulations in 2022, led by their technical director, Adrian Newey, and specifically the role of ground effect aerodynamics, was an extraordinary feat that delivered a design which proved untouchable.
A year later, expectations that rivals would unlock their pace and move up to Red Bull were confounded, leaving the world champions surprised as they moved even further ahead. They won 21 of 22 races with the RB19, an unprecedented run of success.
The team acknowledged by mid-season that there were likely diminishing returns from development as they believed they were already near to the edge of the envelope of the regulations. A refinement of an already superlative package was expected for 2024 and, as their rivals moved close to the Red Bull design, an element of convergence in pace was anticipated.
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