P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull Formula 1 boss Chrisitan Horner believes last weekend’s Australian Grand Prix exposed a potential weakness with its RB20
Front tyre wear and heavy graining were major challenges faced by the entire F1 grid at Albert Park in Australia, with Carlos Sainz emerging victorious after Max Verstappen’s early race exit. Sergio Perez suggested that Verstappen would have struggled to match Sainz and Ferrari’s pace if he had finished the race, indicating that the Red Bull RB20 may not be as dominant as previously thought. The 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix marked the last close battle between Ferrari and Red Bull for a race win, emphasizing the significance of tyre management in their performance. Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner acknowledged Ferrari’s strength in this aspect and highlighted the need for improvement on front limited circuits. Ferrari’s Team Principal Fred Vasseur praised their progress in tyre management, indicating that they are moving in the right direction. The upcoming Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka will further test Red Bull’s weaknesses and set the stage for another competitive battle with Ferrari, challenging the notion of Red Bull’s predicted dominance in 2024. Verstappen’s early retirement in Australia adds an element of unpredictability to the championship, making the Japanese GP a crucial event to assess the claims made by Horner and the progress of Ferrari.
