The Milton Keynes-based squad raised eyebrows at the unveiling of its 2024 F1 challenger on Thursday night as it emerged with several concepts that Mercedes has previously used and abandoned.
This includes the full-length engine gulleys that are reminiscent of the 2023 Mercedes, plus an extreme version of sidepods that is not totally removed from the zero-pod concept that its German manufacturer competitor raced before abandoning.
Ahead of a season where rivals have converged a lot more on Red Bull's previous designs, the new direction for the world champions - going to what its rivals have abandoned - is intriguing.
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But team boss Christian Horner says the inspiration for the move has not been based on baiting the opposition, but purely on seeking solutions that deliver lap time.
"It's not tactical, it's based on performance and what we're seeing through our simulation tools," said Horner.
"Obviously the car looks quite visibly different in certain areas to last year. Only the stopwatch will tell, but in a virtual world we wouldn't have committed to this design if we didn't feel it was better."
World champion Max Verstappen did not agree that Red Bull had gone down a Mercedes-style solution with its car: "I would still call it a Red Bull style. But I know what you mean!"
Source: Autosport