Spanish GP 2025, the ninth round of F1. Red Bull is confident of making a difference at a circuit where it has traditionally delivered strong performances. Max Verstappen is chasing the two McLaren drivers in the standings and has no intention of letting them pull away. On the contrary, the goal is to optimise performance and, with the updates coming in the next few weeks, challenge the two MCL39s on equal terms.
RB21: natural adaptation to the Spanish circuit
Red Bull arrives in Spain with high hopes. It is now widely believed in Milton Keynes that McLaren will take a significant step back due to the new directive on flexible wings. In our opinion, the wings will continue to flex, albeit to a lesser extent than before, and we’re not entirely convinced that the historic British team will lose its substantial advantage over the competition.
This regulatory change is paving the way for a revolution not only in materials but also in aerodynamic geometries: the wings have been redesigned to achieve a much higher level of static efficiency, as teams can no longer rely on this trick at high speeds. In terms of setup, the Catalan circuit should be a “favourable environment” for the RB21.
The third sector of the track, redesigned and made much more flowing in recent years, combined with a stiffer suspension setup, allows the Austrian car to find an ideal operating window. The characteristics of the circuit favour the sectors where cornering speeds are high: the first and second sectors include several high-speed corners where the RB21 finds its sweet spot.
With higher average cornering speeds, Red Bull can make the most of its setup – as seen in Imola during the “match” against McLaren. Essentially, the Spanish challenge is a proving ground for setup optimisation. That’s another reason why the multi-title-winning team is confident it can perform well at Montmeló, thanks to its intense simulator work and ability to reverse-engineer configurations to find the best setup.
Thermal management: key element in the battle with McLaren
An important issue that will determine success in Barcelona concerns tyre management: the Austrian team has made significant progress, notably improving tyre handling over the last few races. This especially refers to managing surface temperatures, an area where Ferrari is also improving. However, the same cannot be said for internal temperatures, which often pose a challenge.
Currently, this remains an unresolved factor, though the team believes it can improve things in the coming weeks. McLaren presently holds a significant advantage in this area, which other competitors have yet to close. Red Bull also aims to capitalise on the first two sectors, where time can be gained.
Ambient temperatures and the characteristics of the asphalt will make controlling surface temperature extremely challenging. In these conditions, limiting tyre sliding will be crucial to avoiding early degradation. The outcome will hinge on a combination of two factors.
We’re talking about setup – something that only the team’s experience and intensive work during free practice can ensure – and the aforementioned tyre management. The RB21 has already demonstrated its ability to control surface temperatures – a decisive factor at Imola – but it now must contend with thermal bulk, the most difficult aspect to manage throughout a race.
However, we might see a more complex battle in terms of surface temperature control, given the nature of the asphalt and the expected heat. Limiting sliding will be essential, and we may witness a very close fight between McLaren and Red Bull – something that will need to be confirmed in Friday’s long runs.
Leave a Reply