Purple Bull crushed the 2023 season by profitable 21 out of twenty-two grands prix, with its early dominance permitting the group to carry off on producing many in-season automotive upgrades.
As an alternative, the group targeted most of its sources on 2024, producing a automotive that appears considerably completely different regardless of its predecessor’s successes.
The Milton Keynes squad’s drastic redesign additionally concerned a number of set up adjustments for its Honda energy unit.
Talking solely to Motorsport.com, Honda Racing Company president Koji Watanabe mentioned the engine producer was stunned by all of the adjustments that have been made.
“For this yr’s Purple Bull automotive, we have been very stunned to see that they modified a lot for the RB20,” Watanabe mentioned.
“Final yr we received 21 out of the 22 races collectively, however they nonetheless modified the idea. It’s unbelievable!
“They made a number of requests to adapt our engine to the brand new idea for the RB20. After we noticed the RB20 in actual life we have been so stunned by all of the adjustments that they made.”
Sergio Perez, Purple Bull Racing RB20
Photograph by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Photos
Along with adapting its mounting factors to the brand new chassis, Honda additionally continued efforts to make its energy unit extra dependable, which Watanabe defined gave Purple Bull extra design freedom to put its cooling options.
“In fact, we can’t enhance the ability [under the engine freeze], however we will adapt the engine to the brand new machine,” Watanabe mentioned.
“Other than that, we will additionally enhance the reliability of the engine. That’s what we’ve accomplished over the previous winter.
“This has given Purple Bull extra freedom for his or her design and for his or her aerodynamic idea. That’s the reason they may change the place of the oil coolers, radiators, etcetera.
“Generally final yr we had a danger to wreck the ability unit that didn’t grow to be massive bother ultimately, however we at all times must minimise the chance.
“That’s the reason we’ve made our greatest effort to enhance the reliability of the engine even additional for this yr.”
