The Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend holds the potential to be a landmark event for Red Bull Racing, as Max Verstappen edges closer to clinching his fourth world championship title. However, the weekend has been far from smooth for the Austrian team, highlighting the complexities of a season filled with shifting dynamics.
A Rollercoaster Season
Red Bull began the 2024 season in commanding fashion, dominating the first 10 rounds. Yet, their momentum faltered as rivals Ferrari and, particularly, McLaren made significant strides in performance. Currently sitting third in the Constructors’ Championship standings, Red Bull’s chances of retaining their title are slim, hindered by inconsistent performances and a challenging season for Sergio Pérez.
Struggles in Las Vegas
The team’s difficulties continued into the Las Vegas weekend. Due to budget cap constraints, Red Bull was unable to produce an ultra-low-downforce rear wing, a disadvantage on a circuit where top speed is critical. Instead, the RB20 is running a higher-downforce configuration compared to many rivals, sacrificing straight-line speed, especially on the back straight. This limitation has been a visible source of frustration within the team.
Sky Sports F1’s Ted Kravitz captured a tense moment in the Red Bull garage as team principal Christian Horner was visibly agitated. Mechanics worked urgently to modify the rear wings, drilling away sections of carbon fiber to reduce drag and boost top speed. Despite their efforts, the higher-downforce setup remains a compromise, raising concerns about Verstappen and Pérez being vulnerable to overtakes during the race.
Max Verstappen Overcomes, Sergio Pérez Struggles
The adjustments proved somewhat effective, allowing Verstappen to secure fifth on the grid in qualifying, ahead of his title rival, Lando Norris. Yet, for Pérez, the weekend has been disastrous. The Mexican driver struggled to find pace, suffering an early exit in Q1 and qualifying in a disappointing 16th position. Former driver and commentator Danica Patrick openly questioned Pérez’s future in Formula 1, suggesting retirement might be a viable option as he continues to flounder in the midfield.
Christian Horner’s Visible Frustration
Ted Kravitz noted that Christian Horner was visibly trying to contain his exasperation as the team grappled with setbacks throughout the weekend. The combination of technical limitations and Sergio Pérez’s underwhelming form has placed Red Bull in a challenging position. Still, Verstappen’s determination to salvage a strong result ensures the race remains a focal point for the team as they seek to end their season on a high note.
As the Las Vegas Grand Prix looms, Red Bull’s path to victory—and Max Verstappen’s championship aspirations—will depend heavily on their ability to adapt and maximize their compromised setup. The tension in the garage is palpable, setting the stage for a critical race in the desert.
“And look at this shot that we managed to catch Christian Horner, the boss that you spoke to after free practice three. Christian Horner’s actually having a joke with his head of communications about it, about how much they had to trim away of the rear wing. So with the loss of some carbon fibre came the gain of some speed. And while the other parts of the rear wing are interesting, if you actually have a look at the edges, that’s where a lot of the drag that is slowing this rear wing down comes from. Those sharp edges, those 90-degree corners. It works on higher downforce circuits, doesn’t work so well here.” – Ted Kravitz revealed.
Red Bull may soon face a crucial decision regarding the future of Sergio Pérez. Throughout the current season, Pérez has struggled with consistency, committing numerous mistakes that have significantly impacted the team’s performance in the Constructors’ Championship.
Although the Mexican driver is under contract with Red Bull for the upcoming year, his contributions have been scrutinized as the team finds itself slipping to third place in the standings—an uncharacteristic position for the dominant Austrian outfit.
Meanwhile, young talent Liam Lawson has been making waves within the Red Bull camp, showcasing potential that could make him a viable candidate for a promotion. Additionally, Argentine driver Franco Colapinto has been mentioned as another intriguing option to partner Max Verstappen in the future.
If Sergio Pérez is to remain with Red Bull next season, he will need to demonstrate marked improvement. With rivals such as McLaren and Ferrari boasting strong driver pairings capable of challenging for race victories, Red Bull cannot afford to carry any weaknesses in their lineup as they look to regain their competitive edge.
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