The ground effect rule is now in its third season and has been an occult spell for Red Bull. The Milton Keynes-based outfit has been enjoying unmatched domination until recently. However, as the competitors have caught up with the reigning champions, the team is reassessing its strategy.
As the FIA allows the team to test run their older F1 vehicles, the squad usually opts for a young driver to do the same. On similar lines, Mercedes selected Kimi Antonelli, a young Italian prodigy, for the testing. However, RBR had different plans as they called up Max Verstappen to drive to steer the iconic RB18, which sailed the squad 17 times over the victory line. While an RBR engineer clarified it is not a part of their strategy, the Ferrari chief suspects a potential change in the Austrian outfit.
Paul Monaghan Explains The Red Bull’s F1 Test
Paul Monaghan, Red Bull’s Chief Engineer, explained that the team’s decision to conduct a test with a previous car stemmed from a desire to acquire an up-to-date and accurate comparison between the two cars. Further, Monaghan emphasized the importance of providing Max Verstappen with a reference from a previous vehicle to better assess the strengths and weaknesses of the current car. Moreover, he noted that without running the cars simultaneously, it’s difficult to make accurate comparisons based on past experiences alone.
Therefore, Red Bull conducted a test with the 2022 car to address this, allowing the Dutchman to offer feedback based on direct comparison. This feedback is crucial for the team to make informed decisions about the current car’s performance. At the Red Bull Ring, Verstappen explained that he had pushed for this test to refresh his memory and gain valuable insights. He found driving the older car at Imola beneficial and appreciated the opportunity to compare it directly to the current model. The warm weather and familiar track conditions contributed to a productive day of testing, helping Verstappen and the team better understand the differences and make improvements accordingly.
Fred Vasseur Shares A Different Outlook On Red Bull’s Testing Strategy
Fred Vasseur is convinced that Red Bull’s decision to put Max Verstappen in the car was a strategic move aimed at shaping the team’s development direction. Moreover, Vasseur asserted that this test was more about development than anything else. He dismissed the notion that the test was simply to give Verstappen additional mileage between races, emphasizing that the choice to go to Imola was clearly focused on development.
The Frenchman also discussed the broader strategy of testing throughout the season. He estimated that Red Bull would likely conduct fewer than ten such tests over the year. He distinguished between tests conducted with their primary racing drivers and those with young drivers. The latter tests are often aimed at giving young drivers mileage for simulator development and enhancing their skills.
Ultimately, he emphasized the need to differentiate between testing days for regular drivers and those for non-racing drivers. He mentioned that, up to that point in the season, Red Bull had conducted two to four tests with their main drivers, underscoring the strategic nature of these sessions.