Red Bull eyes wider operating window for new RB21 F1 challenger

Crimson Bull thinks that enhancing its automotive stability, moderately than merely delivering extra downforce on its RB21, is essential to its System 1 title ambitions in 2025.

The Milton Keynes-based outfit confronted some struggles all through this season after an early benefit was wiped away by its foremost rivals from the Miami Grand Prix.

And though Max Verstappen ended the yr as drivers’ champion, thanks partly to factors buffer he constructed up at the beginning of the season, the squad completed third within the constructors’ standings behind McLaren and Ferrari.

Desirous to not lose out once more in 2025, the crew has religion, after attending to the underside of what occurred with its automotive this yr, that it will probably tackle the vital components wanted for a fightback.

Writing in his common column in Speedweek, Crimson Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko stated that the mindset was not about merely chasing extra downforce.

“We all know what to do,” he stated. “This automotive wants a wider working window, in order that it does not instantly turn out to be unbalanced when there are slight temperature fluctuations or minor technical adjustments.

Max Verstappen, Crimson Bull Racing RB20

Photograph by: Crimson Bull Content material Pool

“That is precisely what our engineers are engaged on. Forty factors of downforce is nice, however 4 tenths on the stopwatch is what pursuits me and the drivers. The dealing with should be predictable for the motive force in order that he can construct up the mandatory confidence.”

Off the again of the sector getting extra aggressive this yr, Crimson Bull is underneath no illusions that the struggle in 2025 will maybe be even tougher with the foundations remaining unchanged.

“I’m positive that we’ll be going through an in depth battle on the prime subsequent yr and that’s regular within the final yr of a regulation interval,” he stated. “The sphere might be nearer collectively.

“It is not uncommon apply in System 1 to repeat profitable ideas. And the longer the specs stay steady, the extra comparable the vehicles will turn out to be. This robotically will increase the extent of efficiency.

“We’ll give it our all once more subsequent yr. There might be some adjustments within the crew, as there have been some departures. However we’re nicely positioned and I imagine that our crew is able to giving Max a automotive that may allow him to struggle for the world championship once more.”

Crimson Bull is ready to announce its 2025 driver line-up earlier than Christmas, amid hypothesis that it may half methods with Sergio Perez after a disappointing season for the Mexican.

Christian Horner, Staff Principal, Crimson Bull Racing, talks with Helmut Marko, Guide, Crimson Bull Racing, Sergio Perez, Crimson Bull Racing

Photograph by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Pictures

Marko stated that it was apparent the crew could be designing its RB21 round Verstappen’s driving fashion – so whoever slotted in alongside him would wish to adapt to that.

“Since we’ve got the quickest and finest driver within the subject in Max, it is just pure that we take his preferences under consideration in terms of growing the automotive’s dealing with traits,” he stated.

“I’m positive that so long as we give him a aggressive automotive, he’ll keep at Red Bull Racing.

“We might be asserting information within the subsequent few days about what the motive force pairing will seem like subsequent yr. There’s plenty of hypothesis, and switch charges are being talked about which can be full nonsense.”