New Red Bull RB20 spied in action at Silverstone

©PaulBridgen/X

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Red Bull Racing was up and running at Silverstone on Tuesday morning, with Max Verstappen apparently giving the team’s new RB20 its track debut, two days ahead of the car’s official unveiling.

Teams are typically authorized to conduct shakedown runs, or filming days for marketing purposes, ahead of the start of the season with a maximum mileage of 200km. Two such days are permitted during the year.

Red Bull is the third outfit to take to the track with its 2024 new-spec car, with Haas and Aston Martin previously running at Silverstone.

The images posted on X by @PaulBridgen offer little information on the RB20’s changes compared to its all-conquering predecessor, but all signs point to an evolutionary design as indicated earlier this year by Red Bull CTO Adrian Newey.

Read also: Horner investigation process ‘could go on for a while’

"Our car, it's very much a third evolution of the 22 car,” Newey said on a recent Talking Bulls podcast.

"Last year's car was an evolution of '22 in its main points being of course, the normal winter development in terms of aerodynamics, some understanding on what we needed to do with suspension to try to improve the car as well, and getting weight out of it, because we never got down to the weight limit in '22.

"This year's car is the third evolution of that original RB18. What we don't know, of course, is the third evolution too conservative, while others have done something different? You just don't know."

While Red Bull is gearing up for another strong campaign, although it will be hard pressed to repeat its 2023 banner year, the Milton Keynes-based outfit is also basking in a bit of turmoil, with team principal Christian Horner potentially facing a dire fate.

Horner has been accused by a middle-management employee of Red Bull of “inappropriate behaviour” in a case allegedly involving a controlling and coercive conduct. The Briton has vehemently denied the claims.

Parent company Red Bull in Austria has hired an independent lawyer to shed light on the allegations and an investigation is currently ongoing. However, the case is following a process that could extend past the start of the 2024 F1 season.

Horner was present on Tuesday at Silverstone for the shakedown of Red Bull's RB20.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.