Pink 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 a substitute, 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 re-design additionally concerned a whole lot of set up adjustments for its Honda energy unit.
“For this yr’s Pink 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 whole lot 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, Pink Bull Racing RB20
Photograph by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
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 Pink Bull extra design freedom to put its cooling options.
“In fact, we can’t enhance the facility [under the engine freeze], however we are able to adapt the engine to the brand new machine,” Watanabe mentioned.
“Other than that, we are able to additionally enhance the reliability of the engine. That’s what we now have completed over the previous winter.
“This has given Pink Bull extra freedom for his or her design and for his or her aerodynamic idea. That’s the reason they might change the place of the oil coolers, radiators, etcetera.
“Generally final yr we had a threat to wreck the facility unit that didn’t turn into large hassle in the long run, however we all the time must minimise the chance.
“That’s the reason we now have made our greatest effort to enhance the reliability of the engine even additional for this yr.”