In a strategic move to ameliorate their current racing issues, Red Bull Racing has summoned Max Verstappen to their Milton Keynes base to delve into the RB21’s recent underperformance — a move sparked by McLaren’s dominant start to the season.
Verstappen, who once led the Drivers’ Championship, now trails behind McLaren’s Lando Norris. The season opener in Australia turned the tables when Norris claimed victory amidst chaotic conditions, with teammate Oscar Piastri narrowly missing a one-two finish due to a mishap. Subsequent events in China saw McLaren secure their predicted one-two with Piastri taking first and Norris following, leaving Verstappen in fourth place, accentuating the team’s current challenges.
Despite the promising direction of the RB21, Red Bull admits to struggling with the car’s performance consistency. Verstappen humorously remarked before the Chinese Grand Prix that a victory would only be possible if competitors retired early. ‘We are not fast enough,’ Verstappen noted. The issues range from achieving a consistent balance to handling understeer, not to mention the adaptability across varying tracks and tire compounds, compared to McLaren’s MCL39, which excels across the board.
Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, confirmed the growing concerns about the RB21’s weaknesses. He emphasized the need for immediate improvements, especially with Verstappen in headquarters this week to explore potential solutions. ‘It’s changing with different circuits and with different compounds, but McLaren is good at every circuit and every compound,’ Marko explained. Despite being worried, the team remains steadfast in their efforts to enhance their performance.
Team principal Christian Horner reflected on the importance of resilience, pointing to past experiences where successful seasons required strong finishes despite slow starts. He commended Verstappen’s dedication and integration with the engineering team, noting how they plan strategic developments to increase competitiveness against McLaren. ‘There’s everything to play for. We have the tools and the people, it’s just about unraveling the challenges,’ Horner stated, acknowledging the narrow margins that separated Red Bull and McLaren in recent races.
Decisions regarding driver line-ups add another layer of complexity, with the team contemplating the choice between Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda for upcoming races. This decision is seen as critical, especially with the Japanese Grand Prix on the horizon, as Red Bull aims to close the 42-point gap to McLaren in the constructors’ standings.
While Red Bull grapples with early setbacks, the team is committed to turning their fortunes around through focused development and strategic adjustments. With Verstappen’s hands-on approach at the factory, the path forward involves meticulous work and determination. As they strive for improvement, Red Bull remains confident in their ability to challenge McLaren’s lead, ensuring that the championship battle is far from over.
