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Red Bull’s upgraded floor helped return Max Verstappen to the top step of the podium at Monza. RacingNews365 technical expert Paolo Filisetti examines where the Dutchman can replicate that form – and how it might impact the McLarens.
The Italian Grand Prix marked a surprising turn of events with Max Verstappen’s pole position and subsequent victory breaking McLaren’s dominance that was evident at Zandvoort the week before.
The RB21’s enhanced aerodynamic efficiency, particularly due to the new floor exclusively available to Verstappen, played a significant role in their success at Monza.
The upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix could see a similar trend with McLaren potentially struggling compared to tracks like Monza, while the RB21 might once again shine with its low-downforce setup on the long straights of Baku.
The modifications made to the RB21 at Monza are said to be permanent, with minor tweaks to adapt to different circuits, increasing Red Bull Racing’s chances of scoring solid points with both Verstappen and Tsunoda.
Baku’s layout encourages a low-downforce setup similar to Monza, although teams may tweak wing profiles and ride heights to suit the technical sections winding through the old town.
As the season progresses towards Abu Dhabi, tracks like Baku, Mexico City, Qatar, and Las Vegas could favor the RB21’s strengths in aerodynamic efficiency, while McLaren’s peak performance may be expected at circuits such as Austin, Interlagos, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi.
