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Red Bull Racing Eyes Rainy Conditions for Australian Grand Prix
As the Australian Grand Prix approaches, Red Bull Racing is placing its hopes on forecasted rain and the driving prowess of Max Verstappen to extract optimal performance from their car. Helmut Marko, the team’s long-time advisor, shared these sentiments following practice sessions in which both Red Bull drivers faced significant handling challenges.
The RB21, which experienced difficulties during the pre-season testing in Bahrain, showed minimal improvement in Melbourne, even after implementing a series of updates, including a revised floor design. In the first practice session, Verstappen and rookie Liam Lawson finished fifth and 16th, respectively. Their positions in the second practice session were similarly disappointing, with Verstappen placing seventh and Lawson 17th, showcasing a gap of more than half a second between them.
Despite these setbacks, Verstappen remarked that the balance of his RB21 “wasn’t completely off,” which downplays a significant underlying issue: a lack of grip that led to an unpredictable driving experience, particularly in the first and last sectors of the Albert Park track.
Marko expressed a cautious optimism, stating, “The first practice session was better. The changes we made afterward didn’t prove successful. We have one more session tomorrow, but I estimate we’re about two to three tenths behind and, at best, looking at the second row [of the grid].” He further noted fluctuations in the car’s response, alternating between understeer and oversteer, which could negatively impact tire wear in longer stints.
He acknowledged that while Red Bull’s performance may not place them at the very front, a podium finish remains a realistic target under normal racing conditions. Interestingly, the sister team, AlphaTauri, outperformed Red Bull in the second practice; however, Marko attributed this to them running with less fuel and increased engine power to assist rookie driver Isack Hadjar in his qualifying preparations. Marko had pointed out, “In Bahrain, they didn’t have time to try that, so we let him drive with less fuel today,” which means AlphaTauri’s pace might not be a reliable indicator of their competitive standing.
Liam Lawson, a newcomer to the F1 scene, has competed in only 11 grands prix thus far. His experience includes stepping in for Daniel Ricciardo during five races in 2023, followed by taking the wheel for the final six races of 2024. Notably, Lawson has never raced on the Albert Park circuit; he transitioned from Formula 2 to the Japanese Super Formula last year when F2 was added to the Australian GP support lineup.
Marko commented on the performance of Lawson, mentioning that comparisons have been made to Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who is also making his debut in Melbourne. Despite Lawson running at less than full engine power, Marko indicated that he believes there is more potential to tap into from the young driver.
Given the current pace displayed by McLaren, Red Bull faces an uphill battle if they aim for a top-three finish in the race, particularly if they do not rectify the car’s handling issues within the next practice session. The team will need to improve its overall drivability to enhance tire performance and strategy against competitors like Ferrari and Mercedes.
The weather forecast suggests a drop in ambient temperatures of approximately 8°C on race day, along with expected rainfall. Reflecting on a previous race in Brazil last year when rain altered the dynamics dramatically, Marko noted the potential for Verstappen’s skills to shine through in uncertain conditions. “It looks like McLaren is the strongest team at the moment, with a close fight between Ferrari, Mercedes, and us. That battle could be for positions three to five. But I’ve heard there might be rain – and if that happens, the ‘Max factor’ comes into play again,” he said.
Additional reporting by Christian Nimmervoll
Photos from Australian GP – Free Practice
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