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Red Bull Denies Asymmetric Braking Fallout as McLaren, Ferrari Steal the Show in 2024

Arthur Ling by Arthur Ling
January 15, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Red Bull Denies Asymmetric Braking Fallout as McLaren, Ferrari Steal the Show in 2024

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - OCTOBER 27: Carlos Sainz of Spain driving (55) the Ferrari SF-24 leads Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 27, 2024 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202410270618 // Usage for editorial use only //

The 2024 Formula 1 season flipped the script on Red Bull Racing. A mid-season ban on asymmetric braking systems triggered a wave of speculation, while McLaren and Ferrari delivered blistering upgrades that toppled Red Bull’s dominance. But Red Bull insists the story isn’t what it seems.


For years, Red Bull Racing has been synonymous with untouchable engineering and Max Verstappen’s relentless dominance. But the 2024 Formula 1 season delivered a shocking twist. After a commanding start that saw Verstappen win seven of the first ten races, Red Bull inexplicably faltered. A ban on asymmetric braking systems during the Miami Grand Prix coincided with a seismic shift in the championship battle, igniting speculation that the ban directly impacted Red Bull’s performance.

However, Red Bull’s Technical Director Pierre Wache has vehemently denied any link between the regulation change and the team’s sudden slump.

“We Didn’t Change the Car,” Says Wache
Responding to swirling rumors, Wache was unequivocal: “We didn’t change the car; we didn’t change the way we set up the car.” According to him, Red Bull’s dip in performance had less to do with the ban and more to do with their rivals stepping up.

The Miami Grand Prix marked a dramatic turning point, with McLaren’s Lando Norris claiming victory in a race Red Bull believed they had in the bag. A fortuitously timed Safety Car handed Norris the advantage, but Wache acknowledged a deeper shift. “We were not the quickest anymore. Clearly, something changed, especially with McLaren.”

McLaren’s Meteoric Rise
While Red Bull maintained that its car remained unchanged, McLaren’s surge was undeniable. Starting with Miami, McLaren consistently outperformed its rivals, boasting less tire degradation and a package that seemed perfectly dialed in. Norris’s victory in Miami was the first sign of trouble for Red Bull, but the real shock came as Verstappen went winless for the next ten races—a drought that was unthinkable at the start of the season.

Ferrari also joined the fray, challenging Red Bull in the latter half of the year. The combination of strategic upgrades and tighter competition left Red Bull scrambling to keep pace.

Speculation and Pressure Behind the Scenes
The timing of Red Bull’s struggles was too coincidental for many. The ban on asymmetric braking systems, introduced in Miami, sparked widespread rumors that Red Bull had been leveraging the outlawed technology. But Wache dismissed the chatter, asserting that internal pressure to perform far outweighed any external criticism.

“[Speculation] doesn’t affect me,” Wache said. “It doesn’t change the fact that every weekend I have the pressure to deliver the best car. I have enough pressure, and I don’t need to create anything more for myself.”

A New Era of Competition
By the season’s end, it was clear that Red Bull’s once-insurmountable advantage had evaporated. Verstappen’s dominance gave way to a resurgent McLaren and a retooled Ferrari, proving that no team can afford to rest on its laurels in the relentless world of Formula 1.

Despite the setback, Red Bull remains adamant that its car and philosophy haven’t fundamentally changed. The challenge for 2025 is clear: adapt, innovate, and reclaim the edge. Meanwhile, rivals like McLaren and Ferrari have made it abundantly clear—they’re not just catching up; they’re here to win.

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