Red Bull tries to catch up with McLaren in Formula 1. In Miami, Max Verstappen is already driving a new underbody, and a larger update package was also expected for the upcoming European debut. But: “There is no big update for imola,” says team boss Christian Horner.
It was apparently rumored in the Miami paddock. “I don’t know where this rumor comes from,” Horner takes hope to all Red Bull fans. “We are now at a point in this regulations that are only about incremental progress.”
In other words, the development work at Red Bull is increasingly focusing on the coming year. Only minor adjustments are planned for the current RB21, but no large update packages!
The next improvements should only come at the ninth run in Barcelona, and not in Imola in two weeks.
Red Bull self -critical
Then the stricter stress tests for the front wings are finally introduced, which should include the discussion about the Flexi-Wings of the past. Nobody can predict how all of this will affect the balance of power and performance of the teams, says Horner.
However, the Red Bull team boss does not see his disadvantage, especially since the team has done a good job so far. “We were not satisfied with our performance in some races this year, but we still managed to drive results by car,” said Horner.
“We are the only team next to McLaren who won a race this year,” the Red Bull team boss alludes to the Verstappen victory in Suzuka. “We also had a few pole positions.” Nevertheless, one should not rest on these little success.
Formula 1: Does the balance of power move in Spain?
“We are working very intensively to develop the car further and improve the situation,” says Horner, who knows that Red Bull was behind McLaren, but has so far been doing quite well. “And if you consider that we currently only have twelve points behind – the championship is still a long time.”
He therefore does not see a preliminary decision in the World Cup race. “I don’t think that one of the top teams can currently be ruled out as a title candidate,” the Briton recalls that even Mercedes and Ferrari could still play a role.
“If one has taught us the past year, things can change very quickly.” At that time, Red Bull suddenly got behind after a strong start to the season, and McLaren secured the designer World Cup again for the first time in a long time.
It remains to be seen whether a similar scenario will start this season. But Horner knows: With the Spain Grand Prix and the introduction of the new front wing control, a lot could shift. “How the change will ultimately have an impact – whether some teams benefit or lose – that will show the time.”