P1racenews AI automatic summary:
For Max Verstappen to have any shot at all at clawing back his F1 title deficit, Red Bull needs a car that can win every single race. Here are three areas that will reveal whether it does
Max Verstappen’s victory in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix has reignited the title battle and McLaren sees him as a genuine threat. The team had concerns about Verstappen’s potential, especially after a disastrous race for championship leader Oscar Piastri. Despite a 69-point deficit with eight races left, everything is still up for grabs.
Red Bull has shown improvement with the RB21 but remains cautious about talk of a championship challenge, knowing there are still unanswered questions about their car’s performance. The team seeks three key answers, likely to come after the upcoming race in Singapore, to determine if their recent success is sustainable or just circumstantial.
The RB21 excels at low-downforce tracks, where Red Bull’s aero efficiency and straight-line performance give them an edge, unlike McLaren’s strengths in medium-downforce circuits. McLaren’s concern stems from Red Bull’s improved performance since the introduction of a new floor, with changes in handling and competitiveness in medium-speed corners previously challenging for them.
Red Bull’s recent success suggests a possible shift in performance characteristics, potentially a result of running the car lower than ever for optimal downforce. Andrea Stella noted Verstappen’s complaints about the car bottoming out, indicating adjustments to maximize downforce. While McLaren acknowledges Red Bull’s recent performance improvements, they remain vigilant and wary of the team’s development.
