Jos Verstappen Reveals Red Bull's RB21 Tyre Struggles to Ralf Schumacher
Jos Verstappen revealed Red Bull's extreme difficulty in finding the optimal operating window for their RB21 and its tyres to Ralf Schumacher. This candid admission highlights the core of the team's recent struggles, despite Max Verstappen's impressive recovery drive in Brazil. The challenge could jeopardize Verstappen's record-setting championship ambitions as rivals gain consistent form.
Red Bull is grappling with significant challenges in getting its RB21 car and its tyres into their optimal operating window, a struggle Jos Verstappen privately revealed to Ralf Schumacher. Despite Max Verstappen's podium finish at the Brazilian Grand Prix after a pit-lane start, the team's ongoing inconsistencies highlight a deeper issue with understanding the car's nuanced behavior.
Why it matters:
Red Bull's recent struggles, particularly with tyre management, could severely impact Max Verstappen's bid for a record fifth consecutive World Championship. While the team often finds a way to perform on Sunday, qualifying woes and general inconsistency underscore the critical need to unlock the RB21's full potential consistently, especially as competitors like McLaren and Mercedes show increasing strength.
The Details:
- Qualifying Nightmare: Max Verstappen had a disastrous qualifying session in Interlagos, eliminated in Q1 in 16th place, citing that "the car was all over the place, sliding around a lot."
- Drastic Measures: Following the poor qualifying, Red Bull made significant, parc ferme-breaking changes to Verstappen's RB21, including fitting a new power unit and adjusting the setup, resulting in a pit-lane start for the main race.
- Podium Recovery: The gamble paid off, with Verstappen delivering a historic drive from the pit lane to finish third in the Grand Prix, just four-tenths behind Kimi Antonelli.
- Jos Verstappen's Revelation: Ralf Schumacher disclosed that Jos Verstappen told him it's incredibly difficult to get the tyres into their optimal operating window, a factor that explains performance fluctuations across the grid, including for top teams.
- Learning from Setbacks: Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies emphasized that the team learns more from difficult moments like the qualifying session, prompting "difficult questions" and new analytical approaches at the factory.
The big picture:
Red Bull's current performance fluctuations indicate they don't fully understand the RB21's proper setup, leading to inconsistent results despite Verstappen's exceptional driving. This challenge is particularly critical given the tight championship battle, where rivals like Lando Norris are finding strong, consistent form. While Verstappen's race craft remains unparalleled, the car's underlying issues are costing valuable points.
What's next:
Red Bull hopes the setup changes made in Brazil will provide crucial insights into unlocking the RB21's potential for the remaining races. However, with only a maximum of 83 points left available and Verstappen trailing championship leader Lando Norris by 49 points, the window for a fifth consecutive title is rapidly closing. The team needs to quickly translate lessons learned into consistent on-track performance to keep any championship hopes alive.