Red Bull's Main Focus for F1 Season's Final Rounds Revealed

Red Bull is adopting a race-by-race mentality for the remainder of the F1 season, with a laser focus on optimizing car performance rather than championship standings. Despite Max Verstappen's strong drive to third in Sao Paulo, extending the gap to championship leader Lando Norris, the team's priority is getting the car into its optimal 'alive window' for the unique challenges of upcoming races, particularly Las Vegas.

Why it matters:

Red Bull's current approach underscores the immense technical challenge of F1 car setup and the competitive nature of the sport. While championship aspirations are always present, the immediate focus on maximizing performance at each venue highlights the critical role of engineering and adaptation, especially as the season winds down with diverse track characteristics.

The Details:

• Sao Paulo Result: Max Verstappen finished third in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix after starting from the pit lane due to setup changes and a new power unit. This impressive recovery drive still saw the championship gap to Lando Norris grow to 49 points.
• Race-by-Race Philosophy: Team Principal Laurent Mekies reiterated Red Bull's strategy of taking each race as it comes, emphasizing that the team is not currently preoccupied with championship calculations.
• Key Focus for Las Vegas: Mekies highlighted the primary objective: "How can we maximize our chance to get the car in the alive window for Las Vegas." This track presents unique challenges with its very low downforce requirements and extremely cold conditions for tires.
• Setup Complexity: Mekies acknowledged the inherent difficulty in consistently getting the car to perform optimally, stating, "it's always very difficult and sometimes you manage it better than all the time. I think that's a simple truth."
• Interlagos Layout: Red Bull's difficulties in Brazil were not solely attributed to the Interlagos track layout, but rather the general challenge of optimizing car performance at every event.

What's next:

Red Bull's immediate challenge is to unlock the full potential of their car for the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The focus on adapting to low-force and cold-tire conditions will be crucial. Their performance there will offer insights into their ability to manage diverse circuit demands and could influence the final standings as the F1 season concludes. The team's ability to quickly dial in their setup will be key to minimizing Norris's championship lead.