Red Bull faces technical setback despite strong pre-season testing – The true speed of Red Bull’s RB21 will not be fully understood until the Formula One season gets underway in Melbourne. While the reigning champions are expected to be among the front runners, their position relative to McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes remains uncertain.

Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s long-time advisor, believes the team is in a better position than some might assume. However, he admits there is one key area that needs improvement.

Red Bull’s latest car has encountered a notable problem, with its newly designed underbody failing to deliver the expected performance in Bahrain. Marko revealed in an interview with Auto, Motor und Sport that the component failed to perform as intended during testing, forcing the team to rethink their approach.

 

 

 

Problems in testing: Floor struggles force Red Bull to revert to old parts

One of the most significant improvements to the RB21 was its redesigned underbody, an area of particular importance in modern F1 where aerodynamics play a crucial role in performance. However, it quickly became apparent that the development had not gone to plan.

“The new wing worked well during testing, but the underbody didn’t,” admitted Marko. The problem was so serious that Red Bull decided to take a step back on the final day of testing. “That’s why on the afternoon of the last day of testing we started putting parts of the old underbody back on the car.

“And with that combination – new wing, old underbody – things went better.”

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Marko thinks they can find a fix

The floor of a Formula 1 car is integral to generating downforce and ensuring aerodynamic stability. If it underperforms, it can have a serious impact on lap times and handling. Marko emphasized just how critical this part is to the car’s overall performance.

“A well-functioning underbody is extremely critical for a Formula 1 car,” he explained. “If even one little thing is wrong, you’re already half a second slower”.

Despite the setback, Marko remains confident that the team can find a solution. He suggested that going back to last year’s underbody with a few tweaks could be the best way to help Red Bull close the gap on the competition.

“If we can refine it properly, the old model with modifications should do the job. And that would close the gap again,” he said.

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McLaren emerging as Red Bull’s biggest threat

Of Red Bull’s rivals, McLaren appear to be the most formidable challenger heading into the new season. While Ferrari and Mercedes are still expected to be in the mix, Marko singled out McLaren as particularly impressive during testing.

“Not only are they fast, but they are incredibly strong in terms of tyre wear,” he said. The Woking-based team have made significant progress since the second half of last season and appear to have maintained that momentum.

However, Marko is not convinced that Red Bull are at a major disadvantage to McLaren. “I don’t think the gap is as big as it sometimes seemed [in Bahrain],” he remarked, suggesting that the test results may not fully reflect the team’s true potential.

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A more predictable car: RB21 offers the stability Red Bull lacked in 2023

One of the key strengths of the RB21 compared to its predecessor is its improved predictability. According to Marko, the new car responds to setup changes in a more consistent and logical manner, which was not always the case with last year’s RB19.

“The RB21 is more predictable,” he said. “It reacts to set-up changes as expected and not like last year where there was an immediate one-second drop.”

This newfound stability is an encouraging sign for Red Bull, as it suggests the car will be easier to fine-tune across different circuits and conditions. It also means drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez should have an easier time extracting performance from the car without the unpredictable handling issues that occasionally surfaced in 2023.

Marko’s optimism extends beyond McLaren. While Ferrari and Mercedes remain serious contenders, he believes Red Bull still has the upper hand against both teams.

“Our assessment is that we’re ahead of both of them, both on a single lap and in the long run,” he said. Mercedes, in particular, have struggled with tyre degradation during testing, an issue that could affect their race day performance.

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Red Bull’s road to recovery: Can they solve the underbody problem in time?

Despite the underbody setback, Red Bull remain confident that they can resolve the issue before the season-opener in Australia. The team has often shown its ability to resolve technical issues quickly, and with a strong foundation in place they will work tirelessly to optimise their aerodynamic package.

Melbourne will be the first real test of whether the Red Bull RB21 can live up to expectations. If the team can refine its setup and ensure the car’s underbody is working efficiently, they will likely remain the favorites. However, McLaren’s pace and tyre management could pose a serious challenge.

As Formula 1 heads into a highly anticipated new season, the balance of power at the top of the grid is more uncertain than it has been for years. Red Bull may still be the team to beat, but they will need to bring their A-game to maintain their dominance. The first answers will come when the lights go out at Albert Park.

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FIA last minute regulation U-Turn for the Australian GP

The 2025 Formula One season will burst into life in less than two days and already there are accusations being made that certain teams are cheating with their car designs. Flexing bodywork has been banned in Formula One for as long as anyone can remember, yet teams find ways to defeat the FIA tests designed to prove this is occurring.

Last year McLaren were accused of using flexi-wings following their first big upgrade of the year which came in Miami. The wings passed the FIA static deflection tests but it was obvious from TV footage that under the extreme loads at high speed, the wings were in fact operating like a mini-DRS.

The FIA fumbled around like blind men in the dark over the matter, something Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur was particularly unhappy about. As the summer break approached McLaren and Mercedes  appeared to be using excessive aero elasticity on their front wings too….. READ MORE