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Max Verstappen Addresses Red Bull’s Handling Challenges
Max Verstappen has emphasized that the handling difficulties of his Red Bull car are not solely due to the correlation issues arising from the team’s outdated wind tunnel technology.
The season has proved challenging for Red Bull, featuring a car characterized by balancing issues and higher tire degradation compared to the top-performing McLaren team. Despite these setbacks, Verstappen managed to mitigate the impact during the initial two races and even secured an unexpected victory in Japan, leading from pole to finish. However, the recent Bahrain Grand Prix highlighted the RB21’s vulnerabilities further, with Verstappen ultimately finishing in a disappointing sixth place on a circuit known for its heat and abrasive surface that particularly affects rear tire performance.
Following the Bahrain race, team principal Christian Horner acknowledged the ongoing technical challenges, which have impeded Red Bull’s ability to maintain its initial championship lead against McLaren last year. It has been reported that some of the car’s on-track anomalies cannot be fully replicated in the wind tunnel currently in use, which has been causing concern within the team.
The construction of a new wind tunnel at the team’s Milton Keynes base is underway, though it is not expected to be operational until 2027. Verstappen recognized that while the discrepancies related to the wind tunnel complicate matters, he noted that the team had successfully competed with this infrastructure in both 2022 and 2023. Therefore, he believes it is not justifiable to blame all performance issues on it.
“Of course, we’re not entirely satisfied with the situation and we’re working on a new wind tunnel,” Verstappen stated to Dutch media, including Motorsport.com. “It just takes time, but we already anticipated that. It’s not a fresh problem this season. Last year, we understood that certain elements could not be detected in the wind tunnel.”
He continued, “The team has experience with these challenges, so they know the right direction for development. The only setback is the inability to refine some minor details. However, our car performed well in 2022 and 2023, and even in 2021, we had a solid car under the different regulations. Thus, I wouldn’t solely blame the wind tunnel.”
When questioned whether the current difficulties impact his outlook for the team’s prospects in 2026, he responded, “That’s a completely different vehicle, so comparisons aren’t valid. It is possible that a different team might suddenly find their form.”
As Red Bull navigates these technical challenges, the upcoming races will be crucial in determining whether the team can address its weaknesses and reclaim its competitive edge in the highly competitive landscape of Formula 1.
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