P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull Technical Director Pierre Wache is open to looking into Max Verstappen’s concerns over low-drag rear wing specifications ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 campaign.
During the Italian and Las Vegas Grands Prix, Red Bull chose not to use an ultra-low downforce rear specification, a decision that Verstappen criticized, believing it hindered their performance on the straights. Verstappen expressed his frustration at losing the opportunity to maximize their speed potential at circuits like Monza and Las Vegas due to the lack of a lower-downforce wing. While considering different rear wing options for the next season, Red Bull’s Wache mentioned the need to factor in both the budget cap and the overall performance improvement potential. Balance issues plagued Red Bull throughout the 2024 season, becoming especially noticeable during races like the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, where Verstappen finished sixth, and in Las Vegas, where he could only achieve fifth place. Red Bull’s previous advantage of allocating resources elsewhere instead of investing in a low-drag rear wing was no longer viable in 2024, highlighting the need to address Verstappen’s concerns and explore potential solutions without a guaranteed performance boost. Wache emphasized the importance of being open-minded and finding the most effective solution for Red Bull’s RB21 car, even if it means foregoing a specific rear wing design tailored for high-speed tracks like Monza and Las Vegas.
