Red Bull Confirms Divergent Setups for Verstappen and Tsunoda in Las Vegas

Red Bull Racing deployed distinct car setups for Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, a strategic decision confirmed by chief engineer Paul Monaghan. This tailored approach aims to optimize performance for each driver, a method that could persist through the season's conclusion.

Why it matters:

Red Bull's decision to run different car configurations for its drivers, particularly between the main team and its sister team AlphaTauri (for whom Tsunoda drives, albeit with Red Bull's engineering oversight), underscores a meticulous approach to fine-tuning performance. In the high-stakes world of Formula 1, even minor setup variations can yield crucial tenths of a second, potentially influencing race outcomes and championship battles. This strategy suggests Red Bull is leaving no stone unturned in its quest for optimal results, despite Verstappen's dominant season.

The Details:

• Deliberate Split: Paul Monaghan explicitly stated, "We are split again, and it's a deliberate action. We are following what we think is the best pattern for each driver."
• Floor Development: Monaghan clarified that the difference between the floors used in Mexico and Brazil was "small." He added, "If you have a used floor versus a new floor, that's almost worth as much as the slightly revised job."
  • He also noted the Mexico floor was a "make-from" floor designed to add "a few more kilos of load."
• Ongoing Strategy: This individualized setup approach is not a one-off for Las Vegas; Monaghan indicated it "may well continue all the way at the end of the season."
• Tsunoda's Configuration: When pressed about whether Tsunoda was using the Mexico-spec floor, Monaghan playfully dodged the direct answer, hinting at a challenge for reporters to uncover the specifics, maintaining competitive secrecy.
• Flexibility: Monaghan confirmed that the team retains the option to adjust setups and switch floor types based on changing conditions. However, given the minimal differences between the floor types, an early optimal setup in FP1 might lead to it being retained for FP2.

Between the lines:

While Verstappen's championship is already secured, Red Bull's continued dedication to individualized setups across its driver pool highlights their relentless pursuit of performance and data gathering. This meticulous approach, even in what might seem like a less critical race, can provide valuable insights for future car development and strategy, ensuring they remain at the pinnacle of the sport. The secretive nature around Tsunoda's specific setup further emphasizes the competitive intelligence aspect of F1, where every detail can be a strategic advantage.

What's next:

This strategic flexibility in car setup suggests Red Bull will continue to adapt to track conditions and driver feedback throughout the final races of the season. Teams often use the end of a dominant season to experiment with concepts that could inform next year's car development. Verstappen's early struggles in Las Vegas practice sessions underscore the challenge of optimizing these nuanced setups on new and tricky circuits, making the team's ability to react and adjust even more critical as the season concludes.