The RB19 would be “ten millimeters” lower than all the others
The new single-seater produced by Adrian Newey suggests, for some observers, a start to the season on par with the 17 successes accumulated last year.
After winning the driver and constructor titles in 2022, the Red Bull team enters this new season as the favorite.
The pre-season tests that took place over three days in Bahrain showed that the RB19 was running like clockwork and seems devilishly efficient, with Sergio Perez setting the fastest lap time on the track in 1 minute 30.305 seconds. (Link to article)
According to the German magazine “Auto Motor und Sport”, the hierarchy would then be composed of Ferrari as the second force on the grid, followed by Mercedes.
Adjusted according to factors such as fuel, engine mode, and track temperature, AMuS claims that the Red Bull with the world champion in the cockpit is two to four tenths faster than the Ferrari and six tenths faster than the Mercedes.
A gap that would be even more significant on long relays with the strong tire degradation affecting the Scuderia, and also the bouncing of the SF23.
Furthermore, the Austrian single-seater also seems to be capable of running closer to the ground than any other car that makes up this year’s grid.
They are ten millimeters lower than everyone else. If we were to drive that low, the undercarriage would break, indicated an anonymous source from Mercedes to the German newspaper.
Strong concern at Mercedes
An RB19 that seems efficient in all areas, as reported by Toto Wolff:
« They brake later, accelerate much earlier and gain an incredible amount of time with better traction. If we approach corners like that, we don’t even reach the top, » notes the head of the German racing team.
Lewis Hamilton is also concerned about Mercedes’ deficit to Red Bull on the straight lines.
The bounce has almost disappeared, sometimes it’s still there, but most of the time it’s not there, which improves things a lot. But we have to find rhythm in a straight line.
« We have things we need to work on, it’s still not perfect and we still can’t match Red Bull or Ferrari at the moment. »
Who knows where we’ll be next week, we’ll just try to stay positive.
The first answers about the hierarchy will come after the qualifications of the first Grand Prix of the season in Bahrain.
