Red Bull must continue supporting Max Verstappen in Formula 1, and so far, it has done so effectively on track, where a strong connection with key team members has helped him maximise performance. The Dutch driver currently trails championship leader Oscar Piastri by twelve points and is six behind Lando Norris. The gap is manageable, but it cannot be allowed to grow if Red Bull wants to keep its championship hopes alive.
McLaren cannot be beaten this way
McLaren has become the benchmark in Formula 1 for at least the past year. It was around this time last year, at the Miami Grand Prix, that the Woking-based squad made its breakthrough, elevating itself above the rest. In a season where McLaren ultimately clinched the Constructors’ Championship, it outpaced Ferrari, who fought until the very last race. Charles Leclerc’s frustration was evident as he pounded his steering wheel during the in-lap, devastated by the narrow defeat.
In contrast, the Drivers’ title went to Milton Keynes thanks to Max Verstappen’s exceptional ability to make the most of every opportunity, capitalising on Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri’s hesitations as well as McLaren’s technical and strategic mistakes. But things have changed. Overcoming the papaya-coloured powerhouse now requires something more—McLaren is currently a step ahead.
So far, McLaren hasn’t even needed to update the MCL39. They already have upgrades prepared but are deploying them with careful strategy, only when necessary. There is no pressure to improve the car constantly. These developments are expected to debut later this month, and considering McLaren’s consistent performance over the past year, their progress is making rivals nervous.
Red Bull upgrades the RB21
While Verstappen—like Charles Leclerc—is managing to “drive over” the RB21’s issues, relying on things to perfectly align isn’t a long-term solution. Red Bull needs to improve the car. The RB21 already has strong downforce and overall potential, but another step is needed to allow Verstappen to battle the McLarens more evenly.
For the Miami Grand Prix, Red Bull arrives in Florida with a significant upgrade: a new floor, a critical component for modern ground-effect cars. This new floor will be available only for the four-time world champion, while another update is being prepared to support Yuki Tsunoda as well. It’s a tough testing environment, especially given the Sprint format.
With only 60 minutes of practice available before the first official session, the team will have little time to evaluate the floor upgrade before the sprint qualifying and the 100-kilometre race that followed. The introduction of this new floor has a clear goal: to broaden the aerodynamic map of the RB21.
The team is aiming to improve drivability in medium- and high-speed sections while also expanding the setup window. Red Bull has struggled with a narrow operating range, making it difficult for engineers and drivers to get the car working optimally. This upgrade is designed to provide more consistent downforce under varying track conditions.
Expected gains on tyre management
Another key objective is to improve tyre usage, particularly over long stints, where Red Bull has suffered from excessive degradation. Miami is expected to see significant thermal degradation, a challenge the team must manage effectively to reach peak performance. After initial steps taken in Jeddah, Red Bull is hoping this upgrade will push them further in the right direction.
The updates in Saudi Arabia were minor and focused more on setup and internal components. This weekend, the aim is to take a more structural approach while waiting for a more comprehensive aerodynamic package. Interestingly, the new floor was originally scheduled to debut at Imola, but Red Bull decided to bring it forward to collect early feedback from Max Verstappen.
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