Red Bull arrives in Bahrain with a magical triple pontoon, analysis

The pontoon is an air intake that directs fresh air towards the engine radiators and the engine in order to optimize the operating temperature of the batteries and the three motors (1 thermal and 2 electric). In Bahrain, on this first day of winter testing, Red Bull offered a surprising version of the air intakes.

Usually, the engine collects fresh air from three openings. The two pontoons, and the top of the engine hood, with a central opening. These openings are designed to be as aerodynamic as possible and collect air to the maximum without slowing down the car too much.

Last year, Mercedes arrived with a “zero pontoon” concept where the usually wide and horizontal air inlets were minimized and turned vertical. This zero pontoon concept was primarily aerodynamic, allowing for better airflow towards the rear suspensions and improving road holding. However, Mercedes could not make it work properly and abandoned it mid-season.

In the middle of the 2023 season, Mercedes had decided to return to a more traditional concept. In 2024, Red Bull seems to have drawn inspiration from Mercedes on several points.

A concept in three parts?

No one knows exactly what this type of pontoon consists of at the moment. It appears that the engine is no longer cooled by a single air intake on each side, but by three different ones.

The side panel is divided into two parts. One horizontal and one vertical. However, based on the information available to us, the placement of the radiators has not evolved, unlike Mercedes who had modified the entire cooling system. The principle remains the same but the airflow must be better redirected towards the important areas.

The third surprising area is located behind the halo. This side air intake runs past the driver’s head and directly serves the engine air intakes. It is not yet known whether this area is used to supply a cooling radiator or if it is simply air to cool the area under the engine cover.