F1 Red Bull: first step to beat McLaren – FP2 analysis Singapore GP
Red Bull’s goal in round 18 of the Formula 1 season is to beat McLaren. While the Dutch talent claims not to think much about the championship, it is clear that he will not back down as long as there is a chance to fight at the top. A significant step forward for the RB21, which even according to the team has met expectations on the first day of practice. Work must continue to optimize the car and keep the dream alive.
Red Bull’s competitive step forward
For Red Bull, Friday at the Singapore Grand Prix was one of the best in a long time. Helmut Mark highlighted this immediately after FP2, emphasizing the team’s satisfaction with the overall balance achieved. Both the engineers and Max Verstappen confirmed two main aspects. The first concerns the RB21’s baseline setup.
It appears that the current setup provides an excellent starting platform. Most importantly, the team believes they have made a concrete step forward in terms of performance. This question lingered around the Austrian team after two consecutive strong weekends, although on circuits considered favorable to the RB21 rather than the MCL39.
It should also be noted that in previous editions at Marina Bay, the multiple championship-winning team faced various adaptation issues. During FP1, Verstappen experienced some understeer, especially in the middle sector, despite posting very competitive sector times. It seemed that a lack of rotation was once again affecting the Austrian car negatively.
However, during FP2, the engineers managed to correct this issue, significantly improving the car’s rotation. Much of this work was likely done on the aerodynamic side. Additionally, the front wing received further updates, which allowed Pierre Waché’s team to progressively reduce understeer.
Tire management under control for the RB21
This type of challenge also affected tire behavior. In the case of the RB21, it was not the rear overheating, but also the front axle. High friction on the front tires generated a significant temperature increase during the lap. On-board data analysis shows that Max started the lap with +4°C on the rear axle and +1°C on the front compared to the ideal temperature.
By the end of the lap, temperatures on both axles tended to equalize, reaching an overall value of +16°C. A clear signal that the front tires accumulated heat faster than the rear throughout the circuit. This is yet another factor contributing to Red Bull’s strong performance, supported by track temperatures around 30°C.
A relatively moderate value compared to other tracks on the 2025 calendar, perfectly suited to the characteristics of the Austrian car. Similar temperatures were recorded two weeks ago at the Baku Grand Prix, helping position the Milton Keynes car at its optimal operating point.
The work is only beginning
Despite these positive signs, beating McLaren will remain a complex challenge. The MCL39 continues to prove an extremely balanced car, although this balance is notoriously delicate. During the day, a slight rear instability was observed in the British car, though overall it remains very precise at the front.
This trait allows McLaren to produce highly effective corner entry performance, even if engineers occasionally need to find the right compromise in setup to ensure maximum rear stability. Based on the data collected, Red Bull engineers have found an effective compromise; it remains to be seen whether it will be enough to outpace the formidable McLaren in qualifying.
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