In recent months, Formula 1 powerhouse Red Bull has seen a decline in the dominance it enjoyed in previous seasons. A major factor in this decline has been the inaccurate data produced by the team’s in-house simulator. This has raised questions as to what exactly is going wrong. It also appears that this data issue has some bearing on the car struggling with kerbs, a serious hindrance during the Monaco and Canadian Grand Prix.
Red Bull Racing is facing challenges with the handling of its RB20 Formula One car, particularly in relation to kerbs and bumps on the track. However, the team is confident that these issues can be resolved without sacrificing aerodynamic performance, although the solution won’t be immediate.
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During the Monaco Grand Prix, Red Bull’s problems became apparent. Team consultant Helmut Marko revealed that the simulator at their Milton Keynes base was not giving accurate feedback.
“The RB20 reacted very differently on the digital laps than it did on the track,” explained Marko. This discrepancy led to a disappointing performance in Monaco, where both Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez were unable to keep pace with their rivals.
In a more recent interview with Austrian website oe24, Marko was more specific about the simulator’s shortcomings.
“It [the simulator] does not simulate the kerbs correctly,” he revealed. Although the system is technically advanced, it is “not fed or interpreted correctly”, resulting in data that does not match real-world performance.
Marko admitted that fixing the simulator’s problems might not be easy. He also admitted that the inaccurate data is not the only problem facing Red Bull.
“The RB20 has certain weaknesses,” admitted Marko. Despite these challenges, he assured fans that the team is “working hard to fix them”.
At the moment, Red Bull is somewhat insulated from the full impact of these issues by the inconsistent performance of its rivals. Ferrari, for example, had a disastrous weekend in Canada and lost valuable points in the standings.
“It’s good for us that the others can’t find consistency,” says Marko, who remains positive. He remains confident that in normal conditions “Max will be ahead in the race”.
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Marko: The Verstappen factor
Marko identifies the “Verstappen factor” as Red Bull’s ace during this crisis. The consultant praised Max Verstappen’s ability to keep an overview of the race and accelerate when necessary.
“Only Max has the overview of the race and the confidence to accelerate when necessary,” he noted, highlighting Verstappen’s performance in the chaotic conditions of Canada.
Predicting the balance of power in Formula One is difficult, but Marko believes the next few races will provide a clearer picture.
“The next three races will tell us how good the cars really are,” he said. He suggested that by the end of the races at Spielberg and Silverstone, “we will know where we stand…”
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At the heart of the problem
The inability to ride kerbs also points to a significant handling issue that stem from the RB20’s aerodynamic platform, which requires stiff suspension settings to maintain optimum downforce.
Unfortunately, this stiffness makes the car less forgiving over kerbs and bumps, leading to discomfort and performance limitations. Red Bull is working hard to find a solution that will improve the overall package of the car, aiming for a balance between handling and aerodynamic efficiency.
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Red Bull’s path to regaining dominance involves not only correcting the inaccuracies of the simulator, but also addressing the RB20’s inherent weaknesses such as the suspension problems.
“The team is working hard on several fronts to ensure the car can compete at the highest level,” says Marko.
The first step is to recalibrate the simulator to accurately replicate track conditions, particularly the handling of kerbs. This involves both updating the software and possibly reinterpreting the data fed into the system. Ensuring that the simulator provides reliable data is crucial for effective race preparation and strategy planning.
Beyond the simulator, Red Bull must refine the design of the RB20 to mitigate its weaknesses. This includes adjustments to the aerodynamics, suspension settings and other mechanical components to improve overall performance. Ongoing testing and data analysis will be crucial in this process.
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Horner: “Everything has to work together”
Christian Horner, Red Bull’s Team Principal, gave an insight into the ongoing efforts to fix the Red Bull car.
“Everything has to work together. You have to push the aerodynamic platform of the car, but you also want the car to go over the kerbs,” he explained.
He highlighted the team’s progress by pointing to their competitive performance in the final sector at the Montreal Grand Prix, despite the challenging high kerbs in the chicane.
“It was encouraging that our third sector was competitive this weekend, even though the car was a bit stiff in the final chicane,” added Horner.
Red Bull’s recent performance in Montreal has shown promising signs, despite the current limitations of the car.
“If you look at the whole race, we were very competitive there, so even though it was uncomfortable, we were able to be quick enough,” Horner noted. He believes that if the team can fully address the handling issues, there will be significant improvements in lap times.
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Verstappen bullish
Max Verstappen echoed Horner’s optimism but remained cautious. After winning the Canadian Grand Prix, Verstappen acknowledged the team’s efforts to solve the problem without compromising the car’s strengths. However, he also warned against drawing any definitive conclusions from the race, pointing out that the wet conditions led most drivers to avoid the kerbs.
“I felt it was not there in the race,” said Verstappen, referring to the handling issues.
“We know it’s a weakness and I know we’re working hard to fix it because I really feel it’s a pretty big performance limitation for us at the moment.”
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Horner praises team’s recovery in Canada
Horner praised the team’s recovery from the Monaco Grand Prix, where similar handling issues were evident.
“We know where our problems are and it was a great recovery from Monaco a few weeks ago. To win a race like this was very rewarding and a big win,” he said.
Despite his complaints over the team radio about the suspension feeling locked, Verstappen remains confident in the team’s ability to resolve the issues.
“I think what he meant was that the car is quite stiff,” explained Horner.
“And when the track dries out, the car just gets a bit quicker and they start using the kerbs.”
Looking ahead, Verstappen is confident that the handling issues can be addressed without compromising other aspects of the car’s performance.
“I really believe that we can solve the problem without negatively affecting any other part of the car,” he said. He also highlighted the increasing competition that keeps the team on their toes.
“It’s definitely a bigger challenge and it keeps us on our toes. We can no longer afford any mistakes, even small ones. Every little detail is important now.”
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The road ahead
While the victory in Montreal shows that Red Bull remains a formidable force, Verstappen admits that this season has been more challenging than last.
“For whatever reason, we are not in the same flow as last year, when everything seemed to be going really well for us most of the time,” he noted.
“This year everything is a bit more difficult. Some things are a bit difficult to explain. Sometimes it feels like you’re in a spiral and it might take a while to get out of it. But we definitely have everything under control, even if there is always room for improvement.”
Red Bull’s journey to perfect the RB20 continues, with a clear focus on overcoming current handling challenges. The team’s commitment to innovation and improvement is evident, and with drivers like Verstappen providing vital feedback, they are well placed to make the necessary adjustments.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Red Bull to see if they can unlock the full potential of their car and maintain their competitive edge in the fiercely competitive world of Formula One.
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