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Red Bull’s Car Philosophy Isn’t Built Around Verstappen, Says Tech Boss Wache

Harry Bright by Harry Bright
January 9, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Red Bull’s Car Philosophy Isn’t Built Around Verstappen, Says Tech Boss Wache

Nov 23, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Oracle Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen (1) during the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Circuit. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Red Bull Racing’s Technical Director Pierre Wache has pushed back against the widely-held belief that the team designs its cars exclusively for four-time Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen. Speaking candidly, Wache asserted that the RB20—2024’s dominant machine—was not developed with Verstappen in mind, but rather as part of a quest to build the fastest car possible.

Not Just for Max: Red Bull’s Car Philosophy

“It wasn’t our intention to develop [the RB20] specifically for Max,” Wache explained, addressing the perception that Red Bull creates “Verstappen-specials” that his teammates fail to master. “But as a driver, he can cope with less connected balance. To make a quick car, by definition, you go towards this.”

Wache acknowledged that while Red Bull’s cars may lean towards oversteer and a sharp front end—a configuration Verstappen thrives with—it’s not a deliberate catering to his preferences but a performance-driven decision. “You still have the possibility to create an understeery car, but it would be slower. Our job is to move away from this and then use the setup to make it quicker.”

Why Verstappen Thrives Where Others Struggle

Red Bull’s design philosophy has birthed a series of cars with a sharp, lively front end and an unstable rear—a challenge most drivers have struggled to handle. Verstappen’s teammates, from Pierre Gasly to Alex Albon and, most recently, Sergio Perez, have often floundered under these conditions.

Albon, who raced alongside Verstappen in 2019 and 2020, likened the car’s handling to an ultra-sensitive computer mouse. “He has the car so much on the nose, it is so sharp, that it’s like a cursor on a computer screen with the sensitivity turned up to the maximum,” Albon said.

Wache agreed with Albon’s colorful analogy, recalling a memorable Verstappen moment at the 2020 Hungarian Grand Prix. “In Budapest during practice, Max’s DRS didn’t close as he hit the brakes. But he didn’t fly off the road when he turned in—he just said it felt light on the rear.”

Why the Myth of a ‘Verstappen-Only’ Car Persists

The dominance of Verstappen and the struggles of his teammates have fueled the narrative that Red Bull designs its cars specifically for its Dutch superstar. Albon, however, has dispelled this notion, emphasizing that the car’s characteristics come from its quest for speed rather than favoritism.

“The first thing is, a lot of people say that car is built around him, that he’s like the Michael Schumacher of Ferrari and he’s created this team around him,” Albon said. “But truthfully, the car is what it is. He is very quick. What ends up happening is, he has quite a unique driving style, and it’s not that easy to get along with.”

Perez’s Struggles and Exit

Sergio Perez’s inability to handle the RB20’s characteristics led to a sharp decline in his performance, culminating in his post-season dismissal. Verstappen’s unparalleled ability to exploit the car’s design to its fullest potential only widened the performance gap.

“It’s eyewatering,” Albon added. “Max’s level of sharp and direct [driving style] is a whole different level.”

Looking Ahead

As Red Bull continues to dominate Formula 1, the question remains whether the team can develop a car that works for both Verstappen and a competitive teammate. While Wache denies building cars exclusively for Verstappen, the Dutchman’s ability to thrive under extreme conditions makes it a challenge for any teammate to match him.

For now, the combination of Verstappen’s talent and Red Bull’s relentless pursuit of performance remains unmatched. Whether this dynamic shifts in the future may depend on the team’s next recruit and whether they can finally tame the “twitchy bull.”

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