[adrotate banner=”10″]
Get 10% off all official F1 Merch at TheRaceWorks.com using code ‘EF1‘ at checkout.
In 2023, Red Bull’s dominance was such that even in the case where they didn’t nail the set-up, or the characteristics of the circuit didn’t suit the car–barring Singapore – Max Verstappen would usually run away to victory.
And while the squad have once again produced the best car for the third year in succession under this rule set, both Ferrari and McLaren have improved to where on a weekend where Red Bull are not in their comfort zone, they can nip at their heels and potentially leap ahead.
That is what happened at Miami last time out. McLaren, with the fully upgraded car in Lando Norris’ hands, were able to match and often have better pace than Verstappen’s Red Bull in race trim, and came away victorious.
Of course, Norris wouldn’t have won without the safety car and Verstappen’s kerb strike just before his pitstop which, according to the team, cost him around two tenths per lap.
But, without the MCL 38’s pace, Red Bull may have gotten away with a win on a weekend where they were struggling to find an optimal balance for the car and were far from their best.
Taking Red Bull out of their comfort zone
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur, said that one of his teams’ goals is to put Red Bull under pressure on weekends where their advantage is not so big, to force the team or one of its drivers into a mistake.
The Frenchman told Motorsport.com ahead of this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix: “Last year they were in such a comfortable position that we never put them, or almost never put them into a situation to have to make a decision. It didn’t matter if it was plan A or plan B – they were in front.
“What we have to achieve is to be as close as possible, and to push them to ask the right question and to make sometimes a bad choice. When they make mistakes, then we have to be there, first step.”
Vasseur reiterated the fact that the team is pushing to eventually be ahead, but with the long lead times to success in F1, taking Red Bull out of their comfort zone wherever possible – for this season at least – is what he expects.
His line of thinking makes total sense. Last year Red Bull’s advantage was in part due to Ferrari and Mercedes getting it wrong, but this year Maranello has got its act together and a resurgent McLaren has comfortably overtaken Mercedes in the performance steaks.
[adrotate banner=”10″]
Get 10% off all official F1 Merch at TheRaceWorks.com using code ‘EF1‘ at checkout.
And with both teams bringing significant updates, McLaren last time out and Ferrari this weekend, the gap should get ever closer.
Red Bull will respond with their own package, and will most likely still be winning more often than not, but it’s already starting to look like this season won’t be the complete walk over 2023 was.
And Norris’ comments about his team potentially being able to fight for a championship next year, will be music to the ears of F1 fans who have sat through a couple of years of crushing dominance.