As the engines rev for the 2025 Formula 1 season, Red Bull teeters on the edge of uncertainty. Internal sources suggest that this season’s car may not be primed for the same level of success, sparking concern that their reign at the top could be in jeopardy.
Max Verstappen, despite clinching a fourth straight drivers’ title last season, reportedly grappled with handling issues during test drives. Although he clocked the fourth-fastest time, internal murmurs point towards understeer in slower corners and oversteer in high-speed sections, making the car erratic and challenging to control.
A recent expose by Autosport unveils the depth of concern within Red Bull’s ranks. The primary worry revolves around the RB21 car’s response to set-up changes. The car’s unresponsiveness has been described as “alarming”, casting a shadow over the team’s preparedness to vie for the championships.
The onus of designing a balanced and flexible car for 2025 fell on Pierre Wache, the technical chief at Red Bull, following Adrian Newey’s move to Aston Martin. His mission was to engineer a car that would cater to the needs of both Verstappen and newcomer Liam Lawson, who steps in to fill the shoes of Sergio Perez after a lackluster 2024 season.
However, early feedback suggests Red Bull may have misjudged its target. The team covered fewer laps than any other during pre-season testing in Bahrain, a worrying indicator for a team aiming to retain its top spot. Competitors McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes have posted competitive times, leaving Red Bull’s standing unclear as the Australian Grand Prix looms.
Perez’s difficulties with the RB20 last season were widely criticized. Now, it seems those apprehensions were well-founded as Verstappen faces similar issues with the improved model.
Adding to Red Bull’s growing pile of worries are the new technical regulations targeting flexible aerodynamics. Red Bull, after expressing doubts over Ferrari and McLaren’s wing designs, managed to push for limitations on rear wing flexibility, which will be enforced from the season’s outset. However, changes to the front wing won’t be compulsory until the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix, possibly forcing Red Bull to overhaul or even scrap designs they’ve already invested in.
Although Red Bull had hoped to implement both changes in time for Australia, they now grapple with budgetary and performance constraints. Whether these regulatory adjustments will even the playing field is yet to be determined, but Verstappen and Lawson certainly hope so.
Meanwhile, the FIA continues to probe into Ferrari and McLaren’s wings. However, with unresolved handling issues and time running out, Red Bull’s recovery may require more than just FIA intervention.
As the final season under the current regulations commences, the pressure mounts on Red Bull to surmount their early-season hurdles. If they fail, they risk handing over their crown to eager rivals waiting in the wings. The world of Formula 1 waits with bated breath for what the 2025 season will unfold.