Red Bull has had to endure a difficult season, with the likes of McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes all emerging as strong contenders for race wins in 2024. The Milton Keynes-based team has gone winless since the Spanish GP eight races ago, struggling with fundamental issues in the RB20’s design.
Early on in the season, Red Bulls suffered from low-speed instability, coupled with a ride-height incompatibility on bumps and kerbs. This was particularly evident in circuits with low-speed corners, like Monaco.
The Dutch GP, however, exposed another significant flaw in Red Bull’s design philosophy, as Max Verstappen struggled with severe understeer and oversteer during cornering. Unfortunately, these issues have become ingrained in the overall package of the RB20. Team Principal Christian Horner has revealed that they will carry forward into 2025.
Talking about the development of next year’s car, the RB21, Horner explained (per Autosport), “Next year’s car will be an evolution of this year’s car.”
He explained that the current cost-cap regulations restrict how much change can be brought on a per-season basis.
Red Bull set to bring upgrades to Austin, mainly focused on the floor area
Some recourses have been relocated from the RB21 back to the RB20
This slows down development for next year, but is essential so that the RB21 does not carry over the same problems.… pic.twitter.com/Niqqz2nmWj
— RBR Daily (@RBR_Daily) September 6, 2024
“I mean, there’s many components of last year’s car that have been carried over into this year. Because with the way the cost cap works, unless there’s significant performance upgrade, it doesn’t make sense,” Horner added.
The Austrian squad still has six more rounds left in the Championship to limit the damage for both this season and 2025.
Red Bull has teased floor upgrades for next week’s US GP in Austin, which could help address the RB20’s weaknesses. With the team trailing McLaren by 41 points in the Constructors’ standings, Red Bull will be hoping these updates deliver.
Team advisor Helmut Marko has stated that they will build on the changes introduced at the Singapore GP before arriving in Austin. As quoted by RacingNews365, the Austrian said, “Max will be driving in his own class again,” suggesting that Verstappen will be able to win races comfortably again.
Verstappen is 52 points ahead of Norris in the Drivers’ Standings.
