Red Bull boss Christian Horner has said he hopes this weekend’s Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix will see the team close the gap to McLaren via new upgrades and the new technical directives on the flexi-wings.
The Milton Keynes-based squad, like last year, struggled to find significant pace around the Principality, with Verstappen forced to settle for fourth place.
Verstappen led most of the contest, but waited to take his mandatory second pitstop until the penulatimate lap, in the hope a Safety Car would enable him to keep the lead.
In reality, the RB21 was never competitive enough in a straight fight, and the McLarens were once again able to show their dominance, with Ferrari also coming into the mix.
Speaking after the race, Verstappen accepted the’s limitations around the Principality circuit, and conveyed his hope that it will tackle the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya a little better.
“I think, as a team, of course, we were never happy with it before, but we also have to accept, you know, we know our limitations with the car,” Verstappen told media, including Motorsport Week.
“Yeah, Barcelona track, where you can show more… Hopefully, a bit better, yeah. Less low-speed corners, more high-speed. Hopefully, that will suit the car a bit better.”
When asked if Red Bull is planning an upgrade for the race, Verstappen reiterated its struggles around Monaco, but coyly confirmed it would.
“Well, a bit so far, yeah. I mean, we try, really, every single year, but, yeah, for whatever reason, here, it never seems to work,” adding: “I mean, I’m sure, well, I hope, because we’re not seven tenths behind in Barcelona, that would not be good. We’ll see.”
‘Significant’ technical directive could help Red Bull
Red Bull boss Christian Horner also intimated upgrades will arrive in Barcelona, in addition to the ones it brought to Imola, which helped Verstappen to a comfortable victory.
Horner also discussed the new technical directive [TD] on flexi-wings, which come into affect this weekend.
TD018, which sees the reduction of flexion on the front wings upon load, comes with the anticipation that teams who have previously benefitted – such as McLaren – will have its advantages reduced.
Horner told media, including Motorsport Week, of his hope that the Barcelona circuit will bring more of an Imola-like performance from the RB21, adding: “And of course the front wing. Essentially a regulation change.
“Now maybe that will have zero impact on the running order. But it’s a change and it will affect all the teams. Maybe neutrally, but there will be an impact.”
Asked if it will make any differences to the rear wings, Horner said: “Maybe, but what we don’t know is how it will affect others. It’s a significant change.
“And so of course there will be some effect. Now of course the teams have anticipated that. So it may well be neutral or maybe it will have some effect on degradation. It certainly doesn’t make life easier.”
Horner further explained the thought process of designing a car, admitting McLaren have seemingly cracked the code of combining all areas of performance together, but said the TD may throw a new aspect into the mix.
“You’re never going to design a car specific to one circuit,” he said. “And I think what we try and do is improve the car everywhere. But it’s always a trade between aerodynamics, mechanical grip and the combination of how they work in unison together.
“Now, McLaren have done a very good job with that. Congratulations to Lando today and McLaren on their win. But for sure it’s another element being introduced from next weekend.”
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