Red Bull Racing Unveils Upgrades for Miami Sprint Weekend
Red Bull Racing has initiated its strategic upgrade campaign aimed at narrowing the performance gap with McLaren, debuting a modified floor design for the Miami Grand Prix sprint weekend. Max Verstappen will be the first driver to test these enhancements.
Chief Engineer Paul Monaghan confirmed that despite the limited practice time typical of sprint weekends, the new floor maintains the car’s balance profile, thereby minimizing risks. Monaghan noted, “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.” Verstappen finished third in the initial practice session.
The revamped floor features reprofiled fences and edges designed to increase aerodynamic load without compromising stability. According to the team’s technical notes, these modifications are set to provide a minor boost in load under consistent flow conditions. An optimization of the floor’s edge wing has also been implemented to enhance downforce.
This incremental update is part of a larger upgrade strategy that will likely continue into the upcoming races at Imola and Barcelona. Monaghan emphasized that this approach is intended to address the balance issues exhibited during the Bahrain Grand Prix, where Verstappen was significantly outpaced, finishing over half a minute behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.
The adjustments aim to improve through-corner balance, which should assist drivers in managing rear tire temperatures and reducing slide. Monaghan remarked on the complexity of achieving an immediate solution, stating, “It’s not Harry Potter time… It’s diligent, thorough engineering by clever people, and we’ll chip away at it.”
As Red Bull continues to develop its RB21, the team is optimistic that these steps will lead to improved performance on track, although Monaghan acknowledged that comprehensive solutions will require time and ongoing efforts.
