The Red Bull team finds itself in a peculiar situation. The defending champions have lost the trail to success as they seem to struggle with the ground effect. Things have gone downhill since the Miami GP, and the technical team has no answer. As a result, the team is replicating rivals to inculcate better configurations into the RB20. The Milton Keynes-based outfit recently tried to mimic McLaren’s front wing but to no gain.
Despite the constant tussle, the reigning champions try hard to break the code. The team introduced a mega upgrade for the Austin GP. Subsequently, Max Verstappen utilized the new setup and cruised to Sprint victory. This reignited hope, and RBR thought they were back in the mix. However, the car returned to its lackluster performance during the Sunday race. Thanks to Verstappen’s remarkable skills, he was able to clinch the final spot on the podium. The RBR advisor Helmut Marko has discussed the Austin GP and its utility.
Red Bull Clueless About Loss In Pace Despite An Ambitious Upgrade
The Red Bull team was desperately aching for a win after an eight-race winless drought. Thus, the squad announced a mega upgrade, including a new floor component. A part of this floor was installed previously in Singapore, where Verstappen bagged a consolidated second-place finish. However, team members, including Helmut Marko, felt that this upgrade pack could turn the winds in Red Bull’s favor. The effect of the update was visible during the sprint and qualifying; however, it disappeared in thin air on Sunday.
After the race, Marko was asked whether the team was happy with the outcome. “Not quite,” the Austrian replied. He further highlighted that the RB20 failed to maintain a consistent pace throughout the weekend. Moreover, the car struggled on both medium and hard compounds. The senior executive also acknowledged the team’s failure to understand the rationale behind the understeer.
Furthermore, Marko discussed the two-way challenge from McLaren and Ferrari in the Constructor’s Cup. The 1-2 finish by Charles Leckerc and Carlos Sainz has revived Ferrari’s world title hopes. However, Marko doesn’t think the SF-24 could replicate such a pace on any other circuit. The track configuration plays a key role in the Italian squad’s success. Despite the Maranello squad’s inconsistency, Marko feels the race to the Constructors Cup is going to be intense.
Mexico To Be The Next Big Hurdle For Red Bull’s World Title Campaign
Further discussing the rivals, Marko warned his team about George Russell’s recent pace. The 84-year-old executive emphasized that the Mercedes driver would have been a strong contender for the front row if not for the penalty he received.
Marko also accepted that the top is among the top teams—Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes. Any team performing and creating a buffer between Red Bull and McLaren will help the Austrian outfit. However, he also hoped the coming races would not be as hard on the nerves as the Austin GP.