Red Bull Formula 1 boss Christian Horner insists that the team is seeking to evolve “all aspects” of the title-winning RB19 car for 2024.
Having won 10 of the last 11 races in 2022, Red Bull dominated the past campaign to claim victory in all but one round to wrap up both titles with several rounds to spare.
Both Ferrari and Mercedes have revealed they will be pursuing new car concepts next season, while McLaren is aiming to build on its promising progress during this year.
Therefore, Horner is adamant that Red Bull must ensure it takes another competitive leap over the winter in every department to maintain its edge over the chasing pack.
“I think with stable regulations, we know that the field will converge,” Horner said at the FIA Prize Giving Gala, where he received the Constructors’ Championship for a sixth time.
“We’ve seen that at different points during the course of the past year. So for us, we have to improve and we have to keep evolving.
“I think all aspects of RB19 are being looked at to evolve into RB20, and hopefully make it even stronger because I’m sure that’s what our competitors will be looking to do.”
With the side compromised by being entitled to the least aerodynamic testing time, Red Bull capitalised on its advantage to cease development on its 2023 charger in August.
But the Austrian outfit can’t afford to rest on its laurels, with reigning champion Max Verstappen admitting that the RB19 upheld some weaknesses that can be ironed out.
“I don’t think you can talk about percentages or whatever, but there are always things that we can do better,” Verstappen added.
“We know that the car has been very, very dominant, but we’ve also seen a few weaknesses in the car where I think we can do better. And that’s what we’re working on for next year.”
Although Verstappen is aware it will be tough for Red Bull to replicate its success, the Dutchman believes the team can improve irrespective of the statistics to come.
“Realistically, of course, it can’t be much better than what we have achieved,” the three-time champion accepted. But I think it’s not always about trying to win 20 races.
“It’s also about just trying to find improvements within yourself, and within the car. And if that means next year we have improved the car and we can fight for the championship again, but you only win 10 races, that’s also fine.
“It’s just been also that the competition around us has been quite up and down. One weekend it was this team, then the other week it was another team.
“So, I expect next year people are learning a lot with this new regulation as well that it will actually be quite a bit closer.”
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