Red Bull’s new found speed boost can be attributed to the successful development of its own version of double-DRS according to reports.
Germany’s Auto und Motor Sport claims Adrian Newey has managed to incorporate the straight-line speed boosting device on the rear-wing following tests in Singapore.
Whilst Mercedes pioneered the device and Lotus are yet to perfect theirs despite having run it during practice on six occasions, Red Bull have reportedly got theirs up to speed in a matter of weeks.
The report would explain why Red Bull were quick through Suzuka’s sector one, which is made up of primarily fast corners – an area where the RB8 has struggled in the past this season.
In fact, Red Bull went on to secure their first 1-2 in qualifying this year and ended up well over a second quicker than Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso and McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton.
Whilst similar to other devices, the AMuS report claims air is channelled down the rear-wing endplates when DRS is activated and exits below the lowest element of the wing, not only providing a straight-line speed boost, but it allows Red Bull to run a greater angle on the flap to benefit speed through fast corners.
