The RB20 was designed under the existing 2024 Formula One regulations. It was the last Red Bull Formula One car to be designed by former Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey, who left the team midway through the season. The car aimed to build upon the strengths of its predecessor, the RB19, while addressing areas for improvement identified during the 2023 season.
The RB20 is powered by the Honda RBPTH002 power unit. Specific technical details beyond the power unit are not detailed in the available information, however, early assessments indicated positive characteristics. Throughout the season, the team attempted to address balance issues that led to understeer, particularly apparent at circuits like Hungary and Zandvoort. The car also experienced challenges with kerb-riding, notably at the Monaco Grand Prix.
The RB20 began the 2024 season in dominant form, with Verstappen securing pole position and a grand chelem victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix, followed by another win in Saudi Arabia. Verstappen continued this momentum with wins in Japan and China, though a brake failure at the Australian Grand Prix resulted in his first retirement in over two years. The Miami Grand Prix saw Verstappen poised for victory, but contact with a bollard damaged the floor, allowing Lando Norris to win.
As the season progressed, McLaren and Ferrari emerged as strong competitors. Verstappen secured further wins in Emilia Romagna, Canada, and Spain, but Pérez struggled to consistently challenge for podium finishes. The Austrian Grand Prix saw a collision between Verstappen and Norris, resulting in punctures for both drivers. The British and Hungarian Grands Prix proved particularly challenging for both Red Bull drivers, with qualifying errors and handling issues hindering their performance.
Verstappen continued to accumulate wins in São Paulo and Qatar, securing the 2024 Drivers' Championship at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. However, Pérez’s performance, finishing eighth with 152 points to Verstappen’s 437, contributed to Red Bull being eliminated from contention for the Constructors' Championship at the Qatar Grand Prix. The season finale in Abu Dhabi saw both drivers struggle with balance and collisions, marking a disappointing end to the year.
Throughout the season, Red Bull introduced upgrades in an attempt to regain their early-season dominance, including a package at the United States Grand Prix. However, the team faced challenges with maintaining consistent performance and addressing underlying balance issues.
[unverified] The corpus does not contain information regarding regulatory outcomes resulting from the RB20’s design or performance.
[unverified] The corpus does not contain information regarding the RB20’s legacy or influence on subsequent designs. However, the car represents the final Formula One design overseen by Adrian Newey during his tenure at Red Bull Racing.
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