At the end of December, reports appeared in the Italian press that the RB20, Red Bull Racing’s new chassis, failed the mandatory crash tests on the first attempt. Even if it is, it’s not a fact that this is bad news; in fact, the champion team’s rivals must be on their guard.
This type of test checks whether the car’s safety systems are in good condition, that is, special energy-absorbing structures ensure the integrity of the monocoque during front, rear and side impacts. In total, the chassis is subjected to almost twenty different types of tests, simulating collisions with obstacles.
When Helmut Marko was asked a question on the subject, Red Bull’s motorsport consultant replied: “If we had passed the tests on the first attempt, then it would have been a problem. That would mean we’re not doing our best work.”
That. Marco made it clear that the fact itself does not worry him, and there is some truth in his words, because the key factor on which the outcome of crash tests depends is the strength of the chassis structure. This directly depends on the weight: a heavier car can more easily pass such tests, because the higher the weight, the better it can absorb the crash energy in certain collisions.
So one way to achieve the highest possible speeds is to make the chassis as light as possible, but this increases the risk of crash test failure. This has happened more than once in the past, but has never led to any special consequences.
Last year’s Red Bull Racing car was so effective that the team’s drivers were able to win 20 of the 21 rounds of the season, and in Milton Keynes they stopped the modernization process very early and switched completely to preparations for 2024 And if it is true that the RB20 did not immediately pass FIA testing, this could be taken as further evidence that the team is trying to push the boundaries of what is possible in a bid to maintain its leading position in the championship.
There is no doubt that Red Bull will be able to make the necessary adjustments to the chassis design, and even before testing begins, the new car will be able to pass all the necessary FIA tests.
Source: F1 News
I am Christopher Clyde, an experienced journalist and content writer with a passion for sports. I have been writing about Formula 1 news for the past five years and am currently employed as an author at athletistic.com, one of the top sports websites in the US.
