2025 Oracle Red Bull Racing F1 Team

[Sergej]

Honestly I think they maximized the chances they had. Gambling on a red flag was a good idea and could have given them a massive +20 points swing.

Undercutting Piastri was not really on cards, especially as they started on hards.

I think Red Bulls choice of tyres almost forced their hand there.

I do not see what you mean here...sorry...
The pace was controlled, Piastri set the gap to around 4 sec. RedBull never had the pace to put pressure on the front, both McLarens were controlling the pace and Lec was following Nor.

There was no potential undercut. Interestingly their only and best chance was the overcut. Without the backmarkers, there was a realistic chance. I think even one lap it was so close to the needed 19sec, that they might have tried before hitting Bortoletto if I remember correctly.
But in the end, the only way to beat Pia was always going long, waiting for a VSC or SC, later Redflag. That was a good strategy, for everything else they were too slow.

Knowing they would have to use the softs at some point and they really didn't like the soft.

I was surprised that they even put it on and not just took the 30sec penalty.

it would have been DSQ, not just +30s (which is applied if the race is stopped and not resumed)

[Paa]

But the upgrades around the rear corner are not coming next week right ? They may be much more important than the TD and we may not see them until Austria, so not all will be decided at Barcelona.

We just have to hope Barcelona is cold

I kind of hope it will be hot. Just so we get a more representative read on what to expect from the season.

[Sergej]

It will be a sunny weekend so track in the 40-50°C zone.

[Space-heat]

But the upgrades around the rear corner are not coming next week right ? They may be much more important than the TD and we may not see them until Austria, so not all will be decided at Barcelona.

We just have to hope Barcelona is cold

Slightly out of the loop. RB brought their McL-esque rear tyre solution to Imola. Is there another iteration expected in Austria, or what does the rear corner upgrade refer to?

[Sergej]

But the upgrades around the rear corner are not coming next week right ? They may be much more important than the TD and we may not see them until Austria, so not all will be decided at Barcelona.

We just have to hope Barcelona is cold

Slightly out of the loop. RB brought their McL-esque rear tyre solution to Imola. Is there another iteration expected in Austria, or what does the rear corner upgrade refer to?

yes, we have info from commentators speaking with Lambiase, who told them that they are doing an extensive work around the rear corner, which will be concluded in one month, this was said last week so I think around Canada/Austria

[Space-heat]

We just have to hope Barcelona is cold

Slightly out of the loop. RB brought their McL-esque rear tyre solution to Imola. Is there another iteration expected in Austria, or what does the rear corner upgrade refer to?

yes, we have info from commentators speaking with Lambiase, who told them that they are doing an extensive work around the rear corner, which will be concluded in one month, this was said last week so I think around Canada/Austria

Thanks, does the rear corner refer to flow conditioning winglets, revised internal brake ducting, or is it related to the floor, or all of the above? Was there any indication, or was GP potentially discussing the Imola rear tyre update when he mentioned it?

It is interesting if it is still the brake ducting/rear tyre internal flow distribution. I thought Marko communicated that RB were matching McL on the rear tyre wear post Imola. Continued development would suggest the McL solution is a little more nuanced if RB feel there is still a chunk of performance to find.

Looking forward to Spain to finally put to bed this McL-RB-Merc-FER flexible front wing debate (who benefits most etc.). Knowing F1, one of the above will circumvent and kick off more drama.

[organic]

Slightly out of the loop. RB brought their McL-esque rear tyre solution to Imola. Is there another iteration expected in Austria, or what does the rear corner upgrade refer to?

yes, we have info from commentators speaking with Lambiase, who told them that they are doing an extensive work around the rear corner, which will be concluded in one month, this was said last week so I think around Canada/Austria

Thanks, does the rear corner refer to flow conditioning winglets, revised internal brake ducting, or is it related to the floor, or all of the above? Was there any indication, or was GP potentially discussing the Imola rear tyre update when he mentioned it?

It is interesting if it is still the brake ducting/rear tyre internal flow distribution. I thought Marko communicated that RB were matching McL on the rear tyre wear post Imola. Continued development would suggest the McL solution is a little more nuanced if RB feel there is still a chunk of performance to find.

Looking forward to Spain to finally put to bed this McL-RB-Merc-FER flexible front wing debate (who benefits most etc.). Knowing F1, one of the above will circumvent and kick off more drama.

He spoke to the Italian media about their upcoming work on the rear corner at Imola and was talking about the current period and upcoming races. I wouldn't listen to Marko overreacting. There are multiple mechanisms of tyre degradation and it's possible (likely, based on what waché said) that red bull are okay when thermal degradation isn't the main problem

[Space-heat]

yes, we have info from commentators speaking with Lambiase, who told them that they are doing an extensive work around the rear corner, which will be concluded in one month, this was said last week so I think around Canada/Austria

Thanks, does the rear corner refer to flow conditioning winglets, revised internal brake ducting, or is it related to the floor, or all of the above? Was there any indication, or was GP potentially discussing the Imola rear tyre update when he mentioned it?

It is interesting if it is still the brake ducting/rear tyre internal flow distribution. I thought Marko communicated that RB were matching McL on the rear tyre wear post Imola. Continued development would suggest the McL solution is a little more nuanced if RB feel there is still a chunk of performance to find.

Looking forward to Spain to finally put to bed this McL-RB-Merc-FER flexible front wing debate (who benefits most etc.). Knowing F1, one of the above will circumvent and kick off more drama.

He spoke to the Italian media about their upcoming work on the rear corner at Imola and was talking about the current period and upcoming races. I wouldn't listen to Marko overreacting. There are multiple types of tyre degradation

Thanks.

[Vettel165]

Spain, Silverstone, Spa should suit Red Bull in theory. Canada and Austria less with all of the low-speed corners, but usually Max brings some extra tenths ever there... The only question are always the tyres, they need to work with less deg.

[Sergej]

I saw that Sky Sport UK video post-Miami in which Ted Kravitz said "McLaren insist the front wing they're running now is TD compliant", which would align with Stella's comment about looking forward to Barcelona.

[pantherxxx]

I saw that Sky Sport UK video post-Miami in which Ted Kravitz said "McLaren insist the front wing they're running now is TD compliant", which would align with Stella's comment about looking forward to Barcelona.

I’m skeptical about that. Recent footage still shows their wing flexing noticeably, which suggests they’re pushing the limits of the current rules. By downplaying it, McLaren might be managing expectations. When they slow down, they'll say it wasn't because of that.

[AR3-GP]

Last year in qualifying, they were losing out in T4, T5 (understeer) and T7/T8 (understeer/poor ride). In the race they were losing a lot in T1 (Mclaren able to use more curb). Mclaren will still probably be the strongest in the middle sector but 2 DRS zones will help Red Bull in qualifying.

[venkyhere]

https://www.formula1.com/content/dam/fo ... ircuit.png

Last year in qualifying, they were losing out in T4, T5 (understeer) and T7/T8 (understeer/poor ride). In the race they were losing a lot in T1 (Mclaren able to use more curb). Mclaren will still probably be the strongest in the middle sector but 2 DRS zones will help Red Bull in qualifying.

I expect pole in the mid 1.10.xxx range this time. Max will dominate S1 and both McLarens will dominate S3. I'm not sure who will be the victor in S2 as T5+T7 is McLaren territory and T4+T9 is Max territory (long corners).
However, if the track temp stays above 50C, McLarens will have it too easy, despite whether the new TD affects them or not (even if it does, the 'affect' will be slightly higher drag in the straights).

[venkyhere]

Guys, did anyone realistically expect pole from the RB21 ? if yes, wasn't it because of the 'hope' that Imola gave ? But Imola has fast and medium corners, here there is only a little bit of that in S1, and there the car was on par with Mclarens - the 18.2. Even without looking at data, I bet the 'losses' were through the low speed 'descent' from T5 to T8, through the lowe's hairpin. The fundamental problem with the RB21 (and the RB20, and the RB19 , and the RB18) - slow speed rotation without aero, purely from mech.grip - that's never gone. Kerb riding got a bit improved with Imola update, but slow speed weakness is still on the table.
This race was a writeoff anyway (just like Singapore is) with no 'Redbull redeeming' corners that are above 200kph - so relax, guys. Finishing P5 will not be a disaster result. Plus we know the race is an even bigger lottery now, than ever before. Who knows, the P5 can become P2 or even P10. Just 'dial out' this race and watch for enjoyment tomorrow. Both cars need to make it back "alive" without crashing, and be on the points. It isn't worth it, pushing to the ragged edge on a track that simply doesn't suit the suspension design philosophy of the car, right from it's birth.

Amazing analysis, keep up the good work.

What more do we need, the man himself has agreed to the above :
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/arti ... vMZlmJ4cq8

It was actually good damage limitation for Red Bull in Championship terms, losing Verstappen only three points to the championship leader Oscar Piastri.

Despite its recent improvements the Red Bull is still fundamentally not suited to slow, bumpy tracks and now heads to a Barcelona circuit which should suit it much better.

After qualifying seven tenths off pole, Verstappen remarked. “We were actually slower than last year in Qualifying, I don't think we have improved what we wanted to improve around here… every year around here we've struggled here with this new generation of cars.

“Only in '23 when we had a massive pace advantage [generally] could we win this race. But all the other years, it's always been a big struggle. We try every single year, but for whatever reason here it never seems to work.”

It was no more competitive in the race. “We didn't have pace of the top three cars. Every time I tried to stay with them, my tyres overheated a bit too much. This is just not our track.”

[f1isgood]

Guys, did anyone realistically expect pole from the RB21 ? if yes, wasn't it because of the 'hope' that Imola gave ? But Imola has fast and medium corners, here there is only a little bit of that in S1, and there the car was on par with Mclarens - the 18.2. Even without looking at data, I bet the 'losses' were through the low speed 'descent' from T5 to T8, through the lowe's hairpin. The fundamental problem with the RB21 (and the RB20, and the RB19 , and the RB18) - slow speed rotation without aero, purely from mech.grip - that's never gone. Kerb riding got a bit improved with Imola update, but slow speed weakness is still on the table.
This race was a writeoff anyway (just like Singapore is) with no 'Redbull redeeming' corners that are above 200kph - so relax, guys. Finishing P5 will not be a disaster result. Plus we know the race is an even bigger lottery now, than ever before. Who knows, the P5 can become P2 or even P10. Just 'dial out' this race and watch for enjoyment tomorrow. Both cars need to make it back "alive" without crashing, and be on the points. It isn't worth it, pushing to the ragged edge on a track that simply doesn't suit the suspension design philosophy of the car, right from it's birth.

Amazing analysis, keep up the good work.

What more do we need, the man himself has agreed to the above :
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/arti ... vMZlmJ4cq8

It was actually good damage limitation for Red Bull in Championship terms, losing Verstappen only three points to the championship leader Oscar Piastri.

Despite its recent improvements the Red Bull is still fundamentally not suited to slow, bumpy tracks and now heads to a Barcelona circuit which should suit it much better.

After qualifying seven tenths off pole, Verstappen remarked. “We were actually slower than last year in Qualifying, I don't think we have improved what we wanted to improve around here… every year around here we've struggled here with this new generation of cars.

“Only in '23 when we had a massive pace advantage [generally] could we win this race. But all the other years, it's always been a big struggle. We try every single year, but for whatever reason here it never seems to work.”

It was no more competitive in the race. “We didn't have pace of the top three cars. Every time I tried to stay with them, my tyres overheated a bit too much. This is just not our track.”

Verstappen didn't maximize the car in 3 of the 4 years. He is right that the car is not good around Monaco, but he didn't maximize the car in 2022 either. Even in 2022, his first run was poorer than Perez and while Perez crashed when Max was improving there's only speculation beyond that point.

Verstappen will probably also not be good around Baku. It is what it is.