Tech analysis: Ferrari inspiration helps Red Bull in Singapore

It has marked the culmination of a big change in fortunes for the Milton Keynes-based outfit ever since it embarked on a major upgrade push from the Spanish GP.

Perhaps of most interest, though, is that Red Bull has taken on board lessons from Ferrari's unique sidepod configuration to introduce its own turning vane ideas, now that it has got a grip on its RB13 platform.

Rules shake-up

Following a shake-up of the regulations that was designed to shift focus away from the power units and back toward aero, it was expected that Red Bull would be the team to catch in 2017.

That didn't come to fruition. Instead, the aerodynamically-sparse RB13 struggled to meet expectations and it forced the team to spend much of the campaign playing catch-up.

Adrian Newey's attention was pulled back fully to the project and the Briton, known for his eye for detail and ability to extract the limit of the regulations, has been seen milling around the pitlane of late, sketching and collecting ideas he's noticed being used on other cars in his red notebook.

With clear signs of progress that Red Bull was getting its season back on track, it was no surprise to see the team bring numerous new parts to Singapore in particular, with it looking to maximise its chances on a track that should suit its RB13 more than recent venues.

New T-wing

Red Bull Racing Rb13 engine cover wing detail, aero paint

Photo by: Sutton Images

Red Bull introduced its original T-wing as part of update package for the Spanish GP and the device has remained relatively unchanged since.

However, as part of a package of parts designed to improve the low speed-maneuverability of the RB13, a revised version has been introduced (above).

Red Bull's T-wing now features slots in the leading edge of each of the horizontal surfaces in order to work the airflow harder.

Like many solutions up and down the grid, it now also features a looped outer section, rather than a simple flat endplate, as the flared surface can promote a change in the tip vortex shed by the rear wing.

Sidepod deflector

Red Bull Racing RB13 deflectors comparison with the Ferrari SF70H

Photo by: Giorgio Piola

The best ideas in Formula 1 are often ones that you've seen others employ and sought to make work for yourself, often leading to a more advanced iteration.

In this case, Red Bull has taken an idea favoured by Ferrari since the start of 2017 and added its own twist.

The sidepod deflector, trialled on Max Verstappen's car during FP1 in Singapore and smothered in Flo-Viz paint, takes a leaf straight out of Maranello's design book, with the appendage used to direct flow to the rear of the car.

The wedge-shaped deflector, like the Ferrari iteration (inset), comes complete with two large louvres that run almost the entire span of its surface but this fledgling design features another leading edge slat mounted ahead of the main surface.

The updates clearly worked judging by Friday's practice pace, and all eyes will now be on whether the team can carry its momentum into qualifying and the race.