Red Bull adds mini-flap to front wing of RB21 in search for better balance | F1 Dutch GP. Red Bull introduced a new front wing with a mini-flap during Dutch GP practice to address the RB21’s understeer.

Red Bull: front wing with more downforce thanks to additional mini-flap

Among the top Formula 1 teams, the only one to bring a clear technical innovation to the first free practice session of the Dutch Grand Prix was Red Bull Racing. The Milton Keynes squad focused on the front wing of the RB21, introducing a small but significant modification aimed at solving the persistent understeer that had already affected Max Verstappen during the Hungarian Grand Prix.

The engineers, led by Pierre Waché, continue their search for the right balance of the RB21, particularly on medium and high downforce circuits like Zandvoort. Both Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda tested an updated front wing that features a reworked adjustable flap. In addition to a profile with a much larger chord, observers also noticed the introduction of a small mini-flap located at the junction between the final element of the wing and the nose of the car.

This extra element is a small, upward-curved profile designed to generate localized downforce at the front, helping the car achieve better turn-in and improving precision when entering corners. It represents one of the many fine adjustments Formula 1 teams constantly test to optimize aerodynamic balance.

However, based on the initial results from the first free practice session at Zandvoort, the modification did not appear to provide the expected benefits. The feeling in the Red Bull garage is that a different setup may be required to properly exploit this new aerodynamic component. The second free practice session, which could also be influenced by changing weather and possible rain, will therefore be crucial in understanding whether the mini-flap can deliver a real advantage.

At the moment, Red Bull is experiencing a more challenging phase than anticipated with the RB21. The car has shown a difficult behavior in cornering, which risks limiting the full driving potential of Max Verstappen and complicating the team’s performance goals for the Dutch Grand Prix weekend.