Red Bull Racing Introduces Upgrades Ahead of Miami Sprint
Miami, FL – Red Bull Racing has initiated a strategic enhancement of its RB21 chassis, deploying a new floor design for the upcoming sprint weekend as they aim to close the performance gap with McLaren. Max Verstappen will be the first to trial these modifications during the Miami Grand Prix.
Chief engineer Paul Monaghan emphasized that significant floor changes are typically avoided during sprint events due to limited practice time. However, the revised floor includes modified fences and edges designed to retain the car’s balance while increasing aerodynamic load. "It’s reasonably stable. We can bring it at relatively low risk at a sprint race because in our judgment the flow stability is unchanged," Monaghan stated. During the first practice session (FP1), Verstappen finished third.
The new floor features advanced aerodynamic elements, including improved floor edge wings to enhance downforce. These adjustments are part of a broader upgrade strategy, with further developments anticipated at Imola and Barcelona later this month. Red Bull aims to rectify balance issues that surfaced during the Bahrain Grand Prix, where Verstappen finished sixth, over half a minute behind race winner Oscar Piastri of McLaren.
Monaghan noted that the team is adeptly addressing tire management, a crucial factor given McLaren’s recent success. "If you slide around, your rear tyres are probably going to get a bit too warm. We’ve made steps and will continue to," he added. While Monaghan acknowledged that not all issues from Bahrain have been resolved, he indicated a commitment to ongoing improvements: "It’s going to be incremental… affecting a cure is not straightforward."
In summary, Red Bull’s targeted upgrades represent a pivotal step as the team strives to regain competitiveness in the tightly contested Formula 1 season. The incremental changes are expected to significantly impact Verstappen’s performance this weekend.
