Red Bull is getting ahead by introducing its first updates earlier than planned. Originally scheduled for Australia, the changes debuted on the last day of testing. The RB21 features a new front wing, the most visually distinct change from the 2024 car, though not necessarily the most significant. The Milton Keynes team conducted comparisons between the two available wings, similar to Mercedes‘ approach.
The new wing
The front wing introduced on the third day of Bahrain testing differs from the previous version mainly in the central area. The nose is wider and stops at the second element, whereas in the base version, it extended to the main profile. This design opens up the airflow slot between the two profiles, increasing the air volume directed under the chassis toward the floor attachment. A similar dual approach to nose length has also been observed at Mercedes, where the W16 has alternated between two different front wing designs since day one.
Max Verstappen has praised the RB21’s progress and improved handling predictability compared to 2024 while acknowledging areas for improvement. The car’s balance is not yet optimal, struggling with rotation in medium-to-low-speed corners—an issue for a driver who demands a sharp front end more than anyone else on the grid. The new front wing aims to address this, alongside some setup adjustments. Red Bull engineers also made significant modifications to the front suspension mechanics during the morning session of day three.
The visual comparison
The front wing update marks the first major visible change on the RB21 compared to its predecessor. However, the most crucial modifications are hidden beneath the surface, as emphasized by team members, including technical director Pierre Waché. The cooling system architecture has been revised to improve reliability, with some radiators relocated from the lower sidepod area. Additionally, new floor geometries have been introduced to allow the car to run a few millimeters lower to the ground.
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