Red Bull Technical Director Pierre Wache has admitted the team is going into the 2025 Formula 1 season behind both Ferrari and McLaren based on pre-season testing.
The Austrian squad sustained more title success under the current regulations in 2024, but the side concluded the campaign no longer boasting the benchmark machine.
That culminated in Red Bull relinquishing its grasp on the Constructors’ Championship, though Max Verstappen’s exploits ensured the Drivers’ crown remained with the team.
Alongside eventual champions McLaren, Red Bull also slipped behind a resurgent Ferrari as balance woes with the team’s RB20 derailed a dominant opening to 2024.
Red Bull held a reason to believe that it had succeeded in resolving the gremlins that hampered its predecessor as Verstappen hailed the RB21 as a more predictable car.
But having encountered a minor setback once it added updates, Wache conceded that Red Bull’s 2025 challenger hasn’t delivered as big a step as the squad had desired.
Wache explained that Red Bull struggled to unearth the “sweet spot” with the RB21, prompting him to claim that it is “tough” to pinpoint where it stacks up against its rivals.
However, the Frenchman has agreed with the paddock consensus that McLaren is leading the pack, while he also thinks that Ferrari has a better package than Red Bull.
“I think it will be tight,” Wache told The Race. “At the moment it doesn’t look like we are quick enough, but after we will see. It looks like McLaren and Ferrari are quicker.”
Verstappen admits Red Bull has ‘work to do’
Verstappen, who is endeavouring to equal Michael Schumacher with a fifth straight F1 title, echoed Wache’s view regarding Red Bull not beginning the season as favourites.
“It was what I kind of expected, we just keep on working and trying to improve,” he said.
“Hopefully we will be ready for Melbourne, learn a bit more, and see where we are at.
“I do not expect us to be the fastest at all, but at the same time, it is very difficult to tell where everyone’s pace is. There is some work to do for us.”
Hamilton not underestimating Red Bull
But Lewis Hamilton, now with Ferrari, has insisted that Red Bull’s impressive record with the current ground effect cars means that the team shouldn’t be underestimated.
“[McLaren] being the Constructors’ Champions last year, we expect them to be one of the quickest, if not the quickest,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
“As with Red Bull, who have dominated for many years.”
READ MORE – Red Bull admits team not where it hoped yet with 2025 F1 car
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