Verstappen proven right as 'new Red Bull car' spotted

Max Verstappen appears to have been spot on with his claims about Red Bull's 2024 paint scheme, after footage emerged of what looks to be the RB20 in a shakedown session.

The team's new challenger will be released on Thursday, and it appears that the car has taken to the track ahead of its official launch.

The three-time world champion had previously given fans an insight into what the RB20 will look like, stating in a sim racing live stream: “Oh yeah, it’s going to look exactly the same.”

One of his friends commented: “Well no, everyone else who has already released their car doesn’t have any paint on their car, just carbon,” before the Dutchman reiterated his claims with: “Yeah I tell you, it’s going to look exactly the same.”

RB20 spotted at Silverstone

Verstappen’s comments look to be true as he and his team-mate Sergio Perez were seen taking part in a shakedown test around Silverstone in the new Red Bull machine.

Under the new regulations, F1 teams are allowed to drive 200 kilometres in shakedown events before pre-season testing, equating to up to 33 laps of the Silverstone track.

As well as the livery looking strikingly similar to last year’s RB19 – which completely dominated the grid – Adrian Newey revealed that the RB20 will also have heavy similarities under the bodywork.

Speaking on the Talking Bulls podcast, he said: "Our car, it's very much a third evolution of the 22 car.

"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."

READ MORE: What the 2025 F1 grid looks like after MASSIVE Hamilton move

Related

Max Verstappen

Verstappen tipped to ditch Red Bull for rival team

• December 13, 2024 19:00

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Verstappen hints at RACE BAN after FIA punishment

• December 8, 2024 22:00