Red Bull Racing’s once-dominant form has taken a sharp nosedive, leaving the team scrambling to regain lost ground after losing the constructors’ championship lead to McLaren. With only six races left in the 2024 season, the team has shifted its focus to upgrading the RB20 chassis in a last-ditch effort to restore competitiveness and, most importantly, rekindle Max Verstappen’s confidence behind the wheel.
Team principal Christian Horner is optimistic that the new upgrade package, set to debut at the United States Grand Prix, will address the key issues that have plagued Red Bull’s performance. The upgrades come as the team continues to struggle with a car that has been difficult to balance, particularly following a string of disappointing results since Monza.
“Our objective is to build on the understanding we’ve developed since Monza,” Horner explained. “We need the RB20 to be well-balanced between both axles to maximize performance, especially given the challenges posed by the high-speed sections and the resurfaced areas at the upcoming races.”
Max Verstappen, who hasn’t seen a victory since earlier in the season, has been noticeably frustrated with the car’s inconsistency. Horner is hopeful that the upcoming upgrades will not only improve lap times but also rebuild the Dutchman’s confidence, which has taken a hit alongside Red Bull’s fading competitiveness.
“The aim is to inspire confidence in our drivers, particularly Max,” Horner added. “The U.S. GP is a unique challenge with its fast-paced first sector and tricky resurfaced sections, so it’s critical we deliver a car that can handle these demands.”
Although the team hasn’t released full details of the upgrade package, reports suggest that significant changes will be made to the RB20’s floor and front wing. According to Racingnews365, the front section of the floor will be revised to better manage the turbulent airflow at the rear, while the front wing will undergo modifications to address flexibility issues. These changes come after McLaren faced scrutiny over its rear and front wing flex, which Red Bull appears to be responding to with their own adjustments.
The pressure is mounting on Red Bull, as they have not only fallen behind McLaren in the standings but also face intense competition from Mercedes, which threatens to push them further down the pecking order. The upcoming U.S. Grand Prix will serve as a critical juncture for the team to prove that its upgrades can reverse the tide of their lackluster second half of the season.
Red Bull has also decided to forego a special livery for the second of three American races, signaling that the team is solely focused on performance rather than aesthetics during this turbulent period. With the constructors’ title slipping away, Red Bull’s sole objective now is to claw back into contention and give Verstappen a car worthy of his talent in these final crucial rounds.
If the upgrades deliver as hoped, the upcoming race in Austin could mark a turning point for Red Bull. However, with fierce competition and time running out, it remains to be seen if these changes will be enough to save what has been an unexpectedly difficult season for the former championship leaders.
