Red Bull’s Technical Director Pierre Wache has expressed concerns about the risks associated with the ground-effect era following the team’s significant decline in performance. Max Verstappen, Helmut Marko, and Christian Horner have been key figures in Red Bull’s dominance during the ground-effect era since 2022. However, the 2024 season has seen a major shift in the competitive landscape, with McLaren surpassing Red Bull in terms of performance and other teams catching up. As a result, the Austrian constructor has highlighted the potential dangers of the ground-effect regulations.
Wache has shared his thoughts and worries regarding the issues surrounding the ground-effect era. He pointed out that these risks were not unique to Red Bull, as rival teams such as Mercedes and McLaren also faced challenges with balancing during the 2024 season. Achieving the perfect balance in the chassis was particularly difficult in the ground-effect era. Simply increasing downforce in a specific area did not necessarily solve the balancing issues, making it challenging to improve in that particular aspect.
Red Bull is currently struggling to fully exploit the potential of their RB20 car, while their competitors are managing to do so. Wache believes that it is crucial for Red Bull to provide the fastest car possible to both drivers, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. If Perez receives the fastest car, it would allow both drivers to maximize their points over the race weekend.
During the summer break, Red Bull will have the opportunity to address these issues and regain their winning form. The 2024 season has been highly entertaining and competitive, and the upcoming races will be crucial for Red Bull as they strive to fend off their in-form rivals.
Photo from Oracle Red Bull Racing Instagram
