After an historic 21 victories in 22 races in 2023, Red Bull debuted the RB20 with an ambitious aero concept for the 2024 season. The base car was an improved version of the previous year’s RB19, but its aerodynamics were thoroughly revised. The front nose was connected to down to the lowest wing flap, and air inlets on the side pontoons were downsized as much as possible. Instead, intakes were installed in the monocoque and on the cockpit sides. The rear part of the machine was characterized by large protrusions to the sides of the engine cover, commonly known as the “cannon deck,” which separated the airflow from the downwash portion of the side pontoons. The aero concept separated airflow in three, to the top and sides, the underside, and to the rear wing. Combined with the smaller size of the pontoons, the R20 looked completely different from its predecessors.

Adrian Newey, who created the challenging concept and design without considering the previous year’s achievements, commented, “The RB20 has improved in all aspects, including mechanical, vehicle dynamics, and aerodynamics,” adding, “We must not stand still even for a moment to gain an advantage over our rivals.”

The high potential of the RB20 was proven by the results in the first half of the season. In the opening and second rounds, Red Bull finished 1-2. In the third round, Max Verstappen retired due to unexpected mechanical issues, but by the tenth round, Verstappen had won seven rounds, in fine championship-winning form. In Round 4, Japan, moved to April from 2024, Verstappen won with Sergio Perez second, treating Honda’s Japanese fans to a thrilling 1-2 victory at their home Grand Prix. This marked the third, and unfortunately last, 1-2 finish in the season.

The success (or failure) of in-season updates to an F1 car can greatly affect the outcome of a race. While Red Bull’s rivals were updating their cars and improving their competitiveness, Red Bull’s updates affected the aero balance, narrowing the sweet spot of the car’s settings and reduced its drivability. Verstappen overcame these problems through sheer driving skills, but Perez underperformed from mid-season, and the team lost its relative competitiveness.

The RB20 was powered by the Honda RBPTH002, manufactured and maintained by Honda Racing Corporation (HRC). Although its specifications were frozen by the 2022 homologation rules, and no development or improvements could be made to increase its potential, HRC had fixed problems that developed in 2024, and improved reliability for the RBPTH002.

What HRC did not expect, was the power unit frequently suffering severe damage caused by the car bottoming out. This occurred when the car rode up onto a curb, or through a curb when going off-track. As a result, fifth ICE (internal combustion engine) units, exceeding the annual limit, were used in the British GP for Perez’s car and in the Belgian GP for Verstappen’s. The team was penalized and this became a cause for concern in the latter half of the season to the end. Verstappen was on his sixth ICE unit in Round 21, Brazil, and although he started 17th due to a grid penalty, he won a rainy, tumultuous race reviving his momentum toward winning the title once again.

In the latter half of the season, Verstappen had staged many close battles but could not convert these to wins. From Round 10, the drivers’ title seemed to slip away. Drastic bodywork changes came in Round 13, Hungary, but Red Bull continued to struggle, unable to realize the car’s potential. Nonetheless, Verstappen had amassed championship points in the first half of the season, and was able to secure his fourth consecutive drivers’ title in Round 22 in Las Vegas. However, with nine wins and lack of competitiveness in the latter half of the season, the era of Red Bull’s undisputed dominance seemed to be over. Symbolic of this, Red Bull was third in the constructors’ standings, missing its goal of winning back-to-back constructors’ and drivers’ titles.