'Hamilton's fears justified: Red Bull has new invention for RB20'

Red Bull Racing is breaking all records in 2023 with the RB19. Max Verstappen won the world title in drivers, Red Bull won their sixth world title in the constructors and Sergio Perez appears to be on his way to a historic 1-2 for the team in the drivers' championship. Yet it would appear that Red Bull has long since stopped thinking about 2023.

It is not surprising, as from day one the RB19 have been better than the competition. 19 out of 20 Grands Prix were won by Red Bull, only in Singapore things did not go to plan. Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez's car is hugely dominant and that has a big advantage for 2024.

Why Red Bull Racing is unbeatable

Indeed, Lewis Hamilton's fears are coming true, according to the Gazzetta. Newey and technical director Pierre Waché are said to have barely engaged with the RB19 in 2023. The two top men are said to have focused mainly on the RB20, which has ensured that next year's design will look very different again.

While all competitors are trying with all their might to close the gap on the RB19, Red Bull already seems to be one step ahead of the competition. The RB20 would take a different route aerodynamically, to ensure that wind has less impact on performance. This was one of the weaknesses of the RB19, which should be gone by 2024. Changing the floor should now make the car even more stable.

Red Bull are not the first team to proceed in this way. Mercedes also had a big lead over the competition every year between 2014 and 2020 and managed to bring a surprise most years. Only in 2021 did Red Bull Racing really manage to compete for the world title again. Newey himself is reported to have said that the competition is hopeless until the new regulations in 2026.