Red Bull is facing significant challenges. The last F1 Grand Prix highlighted how the Milton Keynes team is struggling to maintain strong performance over the 300 km race distance. Qualifying results are promising, thanks in part to Max Verstappen’s talent on display, but with high fuel loads on board, despite recent updates, the RB20 falls short compared to Ferrari and McLaren. This is a major issue since points are awarded on race day. Fortunately, there remains a good margin in the drivers’ championship.
While the Constructors’ Championship has been clinched, Ferrari has managed to overtake Red Bull in recent races. The Austrian-Thai team appears to be on a downward trend. The technical department led by Pierre Waché hasn’t been able to solve these issues, and Verstappen is showing signs of frustration. The Dutch driver is fiercely competing with Norris, as he won’t consider losing his lead in the championship. There are still four races and two Sprint Races left, the next one this weekend in Brazil, the 21st round of the 2024 season.
F1, Red Bull Focus on Maximizing RB20 Traction
The Interlagos circuit is known for its complex curves, elevation changes, and variable weather—elements that often influence race strategy. Red Bull heads to Brazil aiming to improve its race pace and tackle issues that emerged in recent Grands Prix, particularly in Mexico, where the RB20 struggled with both handling and tire degradation management. The layout of São Paulo demands a precise setup, balancing performance through technical corners with speed on long high-velocity sections.
Despite limited track time in Mexico’s free practice sessions, Verstappen managed to place the RB20 in second during qualifying, showing the potential of the car. However, the team continues to work on better connecting the front and rear axles, aiming for a balance that would allow the front end to better harmonize with the rear and reduce unwanted shifts that impact stability and traction. Race pace, however, still shows uncertainties, complicating the situation further.
With high fuel loads, the RB20 struggles in race phases where stability and tire management are crucial. The car also faced difficulties on curbs, particularly in the first sector, where bumps compromised traction. At Interlagos, where curbs are generally lower and less aggressive, performance in this regard should improve. The setup focus should enhance grip in the circuit’s central turns, especially in high-load areas like turns 4, 5, and 12. Maintaining a balance between fast and slow corners will still be essential.
This adaptability to varied corner types is crucial in Brazil. However, with fewer corner varieties compared to more technical circuits, finding the ideal car setup compromise should be less challenging. Traction will play a key role, as the track requires acceleration at various speeds. The RB20 does not always translate its potential into benefits. The combination of downforce and mechanical grip will be decisive for maintaining control in low- and medium-speed corners and managing load transfer.
F1, Red Bull: Focus on Thermal Degradation
In recent years, Red Bull struggled with excessive anti-squat, a suspension feature that dampens load transfer and reduces rear suspension engagement. However, it seems they’ve found a viable compromise, making the car competitive on corner exit. In terms of top speed, the RB20 is not currently the fastest. Ferrari often achieves higher speeds on straights with a lower-downforce setup, a strategy the reigning champions use with caution.
Reducing downforce too much would compromise handling that is already less than ideal, limiting the drivers’ ability to maintain a stable and aggressive feel. The challenge for Red Bull is to find a balance between speed and grip, especially given the impact of top speed on Brazil’s long straights. The RB20 tends to avoid overly lightening the rear to prevent excessive oversteer at corner entry, adopting a load level close to optimal. Qualifying pace is strong, and progress has been made in activating the tires.
Warm-up is now quicker than in the past. On the race pace front, however, issues remain: tire degradation was higher than expected in Mexico and Austin, requiring a detailed analysis of parameters affecting wear. Managing the thermal degradation of tire compounds remains an area needing improvement. Last Sunday, Red Bull struggled to stabilize the temperature on the mediums, causing rapid thermal degradation, shortening the tire lifespan, and triggering overheating phases that significantly reduce compound effectiveness.
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