Red Bull is gearing up for a significant upgrade to the RB20 ahead of the 2024 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix. This upgrade aims to enhance the car’s mechanical and aerodynamic performance as the team makes one last push to secure both championship titles.
Team principal Christian Horner indicated that the upcoming race in Austin presents an opportunity for all teams to roll out important updates, mentioning that competitors like Ferrari, Mercedes, and McLaren will also be introducing new features. This effort is particularly crucial for Red Bull, as they seek to address the challenges faced in recent races.
The anticipated upgrades include a revised floor design, which Red Bull has learned from their previous experience with a problematic floor during the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The team hopes that these enhancements will help remedy the performance issues encountered recently, especially after a disappointing result at the Singapore Grand Prix where Lando Norris dominated over Max Verstappen, finishing 21 seconds ahead. With four weeks between races, Red Bull’s challenge will be to make significant strides despite the autumn break not necessarily providing the miraculous solutions they seek.
Guenther Steiner, the former Haas F1 team principal, raised questions about the effectiveness of Red Bull’s upgrades. He noted that the timing of the introduction of new elements in Austin would not offer Red Bull any inherent advantage since the developments are pre-planned.
Steiner emphasized the uncertainty surrounding the impact of the upgrades, questioning whether the new “magic floor” could help Red Bull regain their competitive edge over McLaren. The team’s preparation, while thorough, is not guaranteed to translate into improved performance on track.
Steiner also expressed skepticism about Red Bull’s ability to catch McLaren this season, suggesting that the team might even be lagging behind Ferrari in terms of pace. He pointed to the poor qualifying performance of Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz in Singapore, which allowed Verstappen to secure points despite his struggles.
Steiner believes that, based on McLaren’s impressive showing, it would be challenging for Red Bull to reclaim their position at the top of the standings. He anticipates that Ferrari could play a more significant role in the championship fight, especially if they can improve their qualifying results.
As the teams prepare for the Austin race, Verstappen holds a substantial lead of 52 points over Norris in the Drivers’ Championship, while Red Bull trails McLaren by 41 points in the Constructors’ standings.
Steiner’s comments suggest a sense of urgency for Red Bull as they face fierce competition from both McLaren and Ferrari. With the season nearing its conclusion, the effectiveness of the upgrades at the upcoming race will be pivotal for Red Bull’s championship aspirations, and the team must rely on both their performance and potential mistakes from their rivals to remain in contention.
