The Red Bull squad’s post-summer break performance was a complete shambles. While the RB20 has been struggling for pace, RBR management is trying to slow down the internal chaos. Despite their efforts, nothing seems to be working for the team at the moment. They’ve only secured two podiums after the summer break while losing two key executives within just a few weeks. But the defending champions are ready to bite the bullet, as the squad aims for a solid comeback.
RBR senior strategist Helmut Marko has revealed the blueprint for Red Bull’s comeback. Although the team is trailing McLaren on the Leaderboard, it is ready to turn things around. Marko has shared a detailed analysis of the upcoming upgrades that could propel the RB20 into the upper orbital.
Helmut Marko Breaks Down The “Subtle Floor Upgrade” And Its Impact On The RB20
During a conversation with Viaplay, Helmut Marko pointed out that Max Verstappen’s race in Azerbaijan was compromised by being stuck behind Alex Albon, ultimately hampering his performance. To make matters worse, Sergio Perez outpaced Verstappen, adding to the team’s concerns. Marko emphasized the need to address the performance gap between the two RB20 cars, warning that it could cost Red Bull the Constructors’ Championship if not resolved. Despite a challenging race, Verstappen was the sole point scorer for the team, as Perez’s late crash brought his race to an early end. However, Verstappen’s efforts weren’t enough to prevent McLaren from taking the lead in the standings, with the Woking-based team now holding a 41-point advantage, which is likely to grow in upcoming races.
Marko remains optimistic that Red Bull can limit McLaren’s progress in the coming Grand Prix. He mentioned an upcoming upgrade package aimed at boosting the RB20’s performance for the Austin race. Until then, Marko urges the team to analyze the data carefully and remain patient. However, his concerns about the Singapore race, with the Marina Bay street circuit potentially exposing some of the car’s vulnerabilities, came true. Although Verstappen bagged a podium finish, his teammate was eight places down at P10. However, the RB20 appeared intact with the aero-components, which made the race less painful. However, the problem is far from over, as the upcoming tracks might trigger more problems.
Red Bull Dilemma: Should The Defending Champions Prioritize 2024 Over 2025 To Secure The World Title?
The McLaren team is on a roll with back-to-back spot-on upgrades. On the other side, the trailing Red Bull is puzzled by the technical aspects. Therefore, former Mercedes world champion Nico Rosberg expects the team to draw personnel away from its 2025 developments. Rosberg wants the RBR team to focus solely on the 2024 developments to defend the world titles.
