Red Bull faces challenges with their RB21 vehicle, which has been described as ‘twitchy.’ Here’s what happened next.
- Red Bull chief engineer remarks on the ‘twitchy’ nature of the RB21, considering it relative to other cars.
- Verstappen expresses optimism but acknowledges pace issues going into the weekend.
- Sergio Perez and Liam Lawson find the RB21 difficult to drive, echoing past issues.
- Red Bull is actively working on improving car stability and speed without sacrificing performance.
Red Bull Racing’s latest vehicle, the RB21, has come under scrutiny for being ‘twitchy,’ a term used to describe its sensitive handling. Paul Monaghan, the chief engineer, downplayed these concerns, noting that every car has its own quirks. He emphasized that the sensation each driver feels is relative, and that there are 18 similar cars in the pit lane, each with its own handling challenges.
Max Verstappen, the prominent Red Bull driver, shared his thoughts about the upcoming races, admitting that the team’s current pace is not where they want it to be. Despite his ability to maximize the car’s capabilities, Verstappen’s teammates have struggled to do the same. Their struggles have been compared to previous models, described by Alex Albon as resembling a ‘computer mouse’ regarding its front-end sensitivity, highlighting the difficulties in controlling the car.
Both Sergio Perez and rookie driver Liam Lawson echoed these sentiments, reflecting on the complexities of driving the RB21. Paul Monaghan addressed these points by explaining that the focus remains on refining the vehicle’s flaws from its predecessor, the RB20. Red Bull aims to enhance speed while ensuring stability on the track, a delicate balance that proves challenging yet essential for competitive performance.
Monaghan further explained that the perception of the car being difficult to drive might be overstated. The focus is on extracting more speed and improving stability, making it easier to handle for drivers. They are confident that adjustments can close the gap between their car and the leading vehicle, potentially making significant strides in the competition.
The team remains united in its effort to adapt the car to support all its drivers, including Yuki Tsunoda, who recently joined Red Bull for the Japan races. Monaghan clarified that each car’s driveability varies with each driver due to different design years and specific adaptations. The emphasis is on team success in the Constructors’ Championship, and any lessons learned from the previous races will be applied to future tweaks.
Red Bull is committed to overcoming the RB21’s challenges, aiming for improved performance and driver synergy.
