Red Bull’s Formula 1 Woes: Can They Overcome Bump and Kerb Issues?
After a challenging trio of races in Miami, Imola, and Monaco, reigning Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen has been hard at work in Red Bull’s simulator to iron out the kinks ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix. The key to success at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve lies in being able to handle the high-speed chicanes and kerbs, but Red Bull’s RB20 has struggled with this aspect of late.
The team has yet to offer a clear explanation for its struggles on kerbs and bumps, but many believe it’s a result of their aggressive approach to aerodynamic developments, which may have compromised their mechanical set-up. While the RB20 still holds an advantage on smooth tracks with high aero demands, its weakness is exposed when it needs to lift its ride height to compensate for bumps and kerbs.
“Each circuit presents us with a set of challenges. We just have to turn up and address them better than everybody else.”
- Paul Monaghan, Red Bull Chief Engineer
Red Bull’s closest rivals, McLaren and Ferrari, have made significant gains in this area with recent upgrades, leaving the team under pressure to address its performance. The question is, how much opportunity is there for the opposition to capitalize on Red Bull’s weaknesses in the remaining races?
Identifying Potential Trouble Spots
Breaking down the Formula 1 calendar, we can identify tracks that may pose difficulties for Red Bull due to bumps or kerb riding, such as Canada, Austria, Hungary, Italy, Azerbaijan, Singapore, Brazil, and Las Vegas. On the other hand, high-speed venues or smooth surfaces like Spain, Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands, the United States, Mexico, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi should play to the RB20’s strengths.
Red Bull’s Adaptability and Upgrades
However, everything hinges on Red Bull’s ability to understand and address its issues quickly. With the Florida-based Grand Prix just around the corner, the team has had some time to regroup and find a solution. As Monaghan emphasized, the importance of adaptability is crucial, stating, “If we achieve our lap time a little bit differently to our nearest opposition, then fine, that is our choice, isn’t it?”
With upgrades in the pipeline and the potential to make changes to their approach, Red Bull can still turn their season around. But as Monaghan acknowledged, the pressure from their rivals is not going away anytime soon. “The others are on us. It’s going to be a tight fight all the way.”
As the Formula 1 season unfolds, fans can expect a thrilling battle between Red Bull, McLaren, and Ferrari, with the outcome far from certain.
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