F1: Monza GP worries Red Bull, but the RB21 can do better than 2024
For Red Bull Racing, the story of the last year in Formula 1 has been one of a steady and undeniable decline. In 2024, Max Verstappen was the one who managed to keep the team afloat, ultimately still taking home the World Drivers’ Championship despite the car’s limitations. This year, however, as soon as it became clear that the competitiveness of the RB21 was not on the same level as the strongest rivals, Verstappen reacted in a mature way. He did not let frustration get the better of him but instead focused on making the most out of what the car could deliver. After a demanding race in the Netherlands, where he once again gave everything, attention now turns to the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
RB21, the recent past offers little encouragement
The team from Milton Keynes arrives at the Monza weekend carrying many doubts regarding the setup of their RB21. This comes as no surprise given the different limitations the Austrian car has shown compared to McLaren, one of their fiercest competitors. One of the first points of reference for this sixteenth round of the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship, especially considering some similarities between the cars, is the performance of last year’s RB20.
The 2024 car struggled with issues that were not identical to the current model, but the concern remains that the Monza circuit could again expose Red Bull’s weaknesses. Monza is one of the fastest tracks in the world, a place where straight-line speed and efficiency are crucial. Compared to last season, the RB21 can at least boast a stronger performance on the straights. It is also worth remembering that at this same point in 2024, Red Bull was still completely lost in terms of setups and balance.
The real breakthrough only came later in Qatar, where the technical team led by Pierre Waché finally unlocked key areas of performance. That step forward allowed Max Verstappen to defend the lead he had built in the first half of the season and secure his fourth Formula 1 World Championship title. It was a demonstration of skill and resilience from the Dutch driver, who once again underlined why he is considered one of the greatest talents of his generation.
The RB21 balance should be stronger compared to 2024
One of the recurring problems of the RB21 has been understeer. However, at Zandvoort, the team was able to control it better than Ferrari, which gives some encouragement heading to Monza. On the Italian circuit, the lack of rotation should not be as severe, though there are still two critical areas: the double Lesmo corners and the Ascari chicane. Failing to manage understeer here could significantly reduce lap time.
Back in 2024, Verstappen often complained of slight understeer in these exact sectors. Moreover, during the Italian free practice sessions that year, he also had to deal with oversteer at corner entry, particularly at the start of the weekend. This combination made it almost impossible for him to find the right balance between front and rear, and it compromised the stability of the car when entering corners.
In simple terms, the two ends of the car were disconnected. To compensate, Red Bull had to load more on the rear, which inevitably reduced their top speed. This year, however, expectations are different. The RB21 should not suffer from the same degree of imbalance, which could allow for higher top speeds down Monza’s long straights. While nobody expects Red Bull to suddenly dominate, the car should at least avoid the same nightmare scenario experienced last year.
Heat management and tyre strategy will be decisive
Finally, one of the most decisive factors at Monza will be tyre management. As every Formula 1 fan knows, activating the tyres and keeping them within the correct temperature window throughout the lap is essential to extract maximum grip. Achieving this is the key to unlocking the car’s full performance. In this respect, Red Bull still has an advantage over Ferrari thanks to their deeper knowledge of tyre behaviour.
Yet, tyre performance always remains a complex and unpredictable variable. In Monza, with track temperatures expected to reach very high levels, the risk of overheating will be significant. If the tyres start sliding too much, they generate excess heat, which reduces grip and leads to even more sliding — a vicious cycle that can ruin a stint or even an entire race. This is why Red Bull’s ability to manage compounds and plan the perfect warm-up strategy for qualifying laps will be absolutely crucial.
With the combination of extreme speed, high tyre degradation risk, and the memory of a difficult 2024 weekend still fresh, Red Bull approaches Monza with both caution and determination. The RB21 may not yet be the strongest car on the grid, but compared to last year’s struggles, there is reason to believe the team can finally put up a stronger fight on Italian soil.
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