Red Bull boss Christian Horner said his team is focused on maximising opportunities amid debate about the impact of the incoming front wing flex clampdown in Formula 1.
The FIA has already imposed stricter guidelines on rear wing flexibility from the season opener, which was tightened further still ahead of Round 2 in China.
Front wing flexibility, however, won’t be restricted until Round 9 in Spain.
It’s an area that McLaren was alleged to be a massive benefactor from in 2024, and no doubt it is enjoying the benefits of front wing flex again this season thus far.
The MCL39 is the outright strongest package in 2025, but that didn’t stop Max Verstappen from taking an unlikely victory last time out in Japan.
Sure, the RB21 isn’t the strongest package, and there’s hope the front wing flex clampdown will clip McLaren’s heels slightly, but Horner isn’t confident in making any claims in that regard and instead wants his team to continue pressing on.
“I think there’s an unknown as to how it will affect the different cars,” he told select media, including Motorsport Week.
“You can see that the operating window of these cars is very, very narrow. That front wing change is quite a significant one.
“So it will be interesting to see how and who it affects. There’s no guarantees.
“We know areas of the car that we need to improve. The whole team is very focused on it.”
Red Bull has ‘potential’ in the RB21
Horner argues that Red Bull and Verstappen, who is only one point behind Drivers’ standings-leader Lando Norris, are doing well at “maximising opportunities,” following a second and fourth place finish in Australia and China respectively, coupled with a China Sprint podium (3rd).
“I think this championship is all going to be about maximizing your opportunities,” he said.
In the first three races, we finished a very close second in Melbourne. China Sprint, we were competitive in the first half. We faded in the second half of that race. China Grand Prix, we had a competitive stint on the hard tyre there to P4.
“So yeah, there’s a lot of positives to take. We know if we can unlock some of the potential on this car, it puts us right in the fight.”
Verstappen was aided in Japan by severely low degradation on the resurfaced Suzuka Circuit, which nullified McLaren’s tyre management advantage.
However, Bahrain’s abrasive surfaces could see that advantage reinstated, despite Red Bull enjoying better pace through low-speed corners, which Bahrain has in abundance.
Looking forward, Horner said: “McLaren in Bahrain will be very strong.
“It’s a track that should theoretically play to their strengths,” he said.
“They have the quickest car at the moment. I think that we’re going to need to fight a bit to beat them.”
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