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Theories Behind Red Bull’s Performance Drop Labeled as “Bullsh*t” by Team’s Engineer

Naman Gopal Srivastava
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Theories Behind Red Bull’s Performance Drop Labeled as “Bullsh*t” by Team’s Engineer

Consistent issues with the braking system in the RB20 have haunted Red Bull’s 2024 season so far. Several experts have shared their theories on the matter, including famed F1 journalist Peter Windsor, who pointed out that Red Bull was using a rear cross-brake inertia valve in the early races of the season, which they had to remove in Miami – where their struggles began.

Peter Scarborough – a journalist who specializes in F1 technology – claimed that Windsor’s assessment made sense. But Red Bull’s mechanic Calum Nicholas, labeled these claims as “bullsh*t”.

Scarborough had suggested that a return of the Newey fiddle brake was also on the cards.

Aided by automation to create a turning moment with the rear brakes could do the trick for Red Bull, according to him. A weighted valve in the rear brake splitter could also aid the idea. Furthermore, Scarborough felt that altering the effort between the calipers when the car turned would benefit the Milton-Keynes-based team.

Nicholas, however, did not find the anecdote relevant. He took to X to respond to Windsor and Scarborough, and wrote, “I’ve been building the car for the last 14 races, he [Scarborough] hasn’t.”

Red Bull received its biggest upgrade package of the season in Hungary, but still continued to struggle with understeer problems affecting them in the race. Max Verstappen was frustrated, and complained about the car not turning.

Red Bull knows it has to find a solution, as Helmut Marko pointed out during the summer break. Unfortunately, in this period, teams are not allowed to work on the cars. So, Verstappen will have to wait longer for the team to find a fix. And cannot expect respite at his home Grand Prix upon the resumption of the season.

Post Edited By:Somin Bhattacharjee

About the author

Naman Gopal Srivastava

Naman Gopal Srivastava

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Naman is an F1 writer at The SportsRush. Initially a football fanatic who worships Puyol and Leo Messi, Naman soon fell in love with the world of F1 upon reading about Jim Clarke. While the current era drivers do fascinate him, Naman still chooses to idolize Clarke and Ayrton Senna. When he is not busy watching the highlights of some of the greatest races of his idols, Naman can be found scribbling little snippets in his diary of poems or out in the town, exploring new places to eat.

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