With Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, team Red Bull succeeded in claiming the most points with consecutive one-two finishes. In the two races held so far, they have been unbelievably strong and outstandingly fast. The team won the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and the Bahrain Grand Prix away from the rivals with such a huge gap that others are compelled to claim that Red Bull is superior. But still, the team’s boss Christian Horner is afraid. He is concerned about the penalty that Red Bull is facing for an unintentional crime they committed in 2021.
The 10% deduction in the wind tunnel testing and CFD allocation that Red Bull is facing as a penalty for breaching the 2021 F1 budget by a minor amount is developing anxiety in the team’s principal. Christian Horner is, indeed, happy and surprised knowing that Red Bull is doing so great this season. Continuous one-two victory is something that a legendary team does. But he is afraid that the uncertainties coming from the greater challenges lying ahead are capable of snatching out this happiness from Red Bull.
The Red Bull boss fears that Mercedes and Ferrari will rise with the opportunities they may find from the disadvantages they will receive from the “draconian” penalty. Speaking with Sky Sports, Horner confirmed his happiness after seeing the one-two finishes of Red Bull in the opening two Grand Prix. This is something that Red Bull has never achieved or even thought of achieving, he stated. And the most magnificent thing to have at present is Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez together in the team for Horner.
The Upcoming Upgrades By The Rivals Is A Big Concern For Christian Horner
There have been little disputes between the two Red Bull drivers. But the thing that really has an impact on the performance of the team is not these little internal misunderstandings. It is the disadvantages they have in the wind tunnel. The Brit explained, “Red Bull’s development capacity in 2023 has been reduced. And thus, despite having a very competitive car like RB19, it is important for the team to get those points available on the table as soon as possible.”
“The upgrades coming through in the rival teams” is something that needs the full focus of Red Bull, said Christian Horner. At this time, instead of celebrating the great achievements, Red Bull is trying to be realistic about the consequences they may face from the rise of the rivals like Mercedes, Aston Martin, and Ferrari. As they are constantly bringing upgrades and becoming stronger each passing weekend.
This year, Red Bull has two limitations in the development process. First, the cost cap penalty; second, the least allowance of tunnel testing due to winning the double championship last year. Till this October, the Milton-based team will suffer the 10% deduction in the CFD allocations. But even with those limitations and disadvantages, Red Bull is superior. The team is just being extraordinary every time they come to the tracks since 2022. The rivals will indeed bring upgrades and become more robust, but Red Bull will not stop. They will bring upgrades too! And the gap will remain in existence, paving the way to Red Bull’s championship win once again.
