In pictures | Impressive updates from Red Bull for Verstappen's RB19
Max Verstappen already confirmed two weeks ago after the British Grand Prix that Red Bull Racing would bring updates to Hungary and so this morning there were plenty of journalists in the pit lane looking at the 'new' RB19. What has changed? At first glance, mainly the sidepods have been taken care of, cooling has been improved and something has also been changed to the front wing.
Further development of previous sidepods
Red Bull has opted for the so-called 'letterbox' sidepod. The first updates to the sidepods were introduced in Azerbaijan. A wider and less high sidepod inlet was already chosen then, but the Austrian formation has gone one step further in further developing this concept with the update in Hungary.
The smaller sidepod intakes make it harder to cool the Honda engine, for example, but Adrian Newey and his crew have thought about that. In fact, improvements have also been made to the cooling system, so temperatures will not skyrocket. Furthermore, on the RB19's front wing, we see that especially the flaps have been modified. This should ensure more efficient airflow.
Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reported earlier this week that the new sidepods should give Verstappen and Perez around two-tenths time gains. This weekend's Hungarian GP will give a good idea of whether Red Bull has indeed gained another few tenths on the competition.
New sidepods and modified RB19 front wing in Hungary
También nuevos flaps para el ala delantera del Red Bull
— Albert Fabrega (@AlbertFabrega) July 20, 2023
Also new flaps on Red Bull's front wing. #f1 #HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/eiYEwwRALO
La entrada de los pontones del Red Bull...
— Albert Fabrega (@AlbertFabrega) July 20, 2023
Red Bull sidepods inlet...#f1 #HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/tyr6LmImWl
BREAKING: RedBull has introduced a 'Letterbox' sidepod inlet! (Upper picture)
— Formula Data Analysis (@FDataAnalysis) July 20, 2023
They had already gone towards a wider and less tall sidepod inlet in Baku (Center picture), but this further update brings the concept to the extreme!
(Upper photo by @formu1a__uno)#F1 #HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/AMOxxPVmFa
Primeras fotos de los nuevos pontones del Red Bull
— Albert Fabrega (@AlbertFabrega) July 20, 2023
First pictures of Red Bull's new sidepods. #f1 #HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/9QLISvObST
No water slide on the new Red Bull sidepod #F1 pic.twitter.com/bncv11OYqw
— Christian Menath (@MSM_Christian) July 20, 2023