Lotus102 wrote: ↑16 Feb 2020, 23:37
SportPesa deal was simply described as ‘multi year’ so my guess is that it was one-year plus options, and SP didn’t like what they saw enough to carry on into 2020.
The car in the leaked photos looks largely the same to me, apart from around the bodywork at the rear, where it seems a little more tightly packaged than on any photos of the RP19 I can find. I wonder if the big upgrade part way through last year was always intended to be only lightly evolved for this year? RP/FI seemed to start the season with an interim spec car two or three times in the last few seasons.
There seems to be a 'monkey seat wing' at the 'new livery' image, but apart from that i see no difference.
If the packaging is even remotely tighter, then i personally believe this to be the case that the livery version is that of either and older or a newer updated version of the 2019 contender, compared to the picture of a car in the 2019 livery.
after all, in general, no car remains the same from Australia to Abu Dhabi despite it being the same season and team.
So if there are any difference at all, i would concider that in-season upgrades of 2019, and by no means a 2020 update.
we will see eventually, but personally, ithere is no evidence to believe that this is the actual 2020 car.