Red Bull F1

+1 agree. Max and Hulk are pals and would be compatible teammates IMO.

 

It sure seems that way, but I won't be surprised if Max runs away with the trifecta at the next race. I really hope the infighting reduces their focus and they fall behind and stay there.

 

Sounds like MaxBull have a major suspension issue affecting the car/performance. RB car is a better kerb rider with the suspension RedBull used last year.

What could be behind Red Bull’s kerb-riding problems
Red Bull’s struggle for performance at Formula 1’s Monaco Grand Prix has exposed some underlying problems with the RB20 at tracks with kerbs and bumps.
Matt SomerfieldMay 31, 2024, 10:09 AM

As Max Verstappen confessed on Saturday, an inability of the car to ride the kerbs in the same way as rivals, whilst also failing to deal with Monte Carlo’s bumpy track surface, meant inherent weaknesses had been ‘found out’ now that the squad no longer had a comfortable performance margin at the front.

There appeared no immediate answer for what triggered Red Bull’s troubles, with the team further confused by the fact that the softer it ran the car in Monaco the worse things got.

However, it was interesting to hear Red Bull team principal Christian Horner state in the aftermath of the race that perhaps suspension tweaks for this year could be the culprit.

“The VCARB [RB] car is running with our suspension from last year and didn't seem to have the same issues,” he said. “So, we need to understand if it's something that we've introduced.”

However, whilst Tsunoda and Ricciardo had a better time of it in Monaco, Horner also admitted that the problem was not something that had suddenly emerged this season.

“We saw it in Singapore last year as well,” he said. “So, we've had another example of that. We know it's an area of the car we need to work on.”

So what could be causing its troubles?

Refining the design
Red Bull has used a pull-rod layout at the front and a push-rod layout at the rear of its car since the regulations changed in 2022. It has, however, continued to optimise its design.

But it is those optimisations that may hold the answer as to what has happened. While improvements would be limited in terms of enhancing the suspension's kinematic performance, there have been opportunities to refine this area of the car for aerodynamic benefits.

And it could be that in pursuing aerodynamic gains to keep the RB20 at the front of the field, it has perhaps compromised some of the ride aspects of the car too much.

It is ultimately all about balancing out losses in one area (ride) versus gains in another (aero). If there was a trade-off to only slightly degrade the suspension's operating range in exchange for a more substantial aerodynamic gain, then that would likely be considered something a team would be willing to take.

Furthermore, if that mechanical compromise were only felt at one end of the spectrum, such as on challenging kerbs and bumps, then it might have been something worth living through in exchange for the gains it delivered at those smooth venues where aero performance is king.

This potential downside would also be less problematic when the competition was much further adrift, but it is a different thing when rivals are as close as they are now.

What Red Bull changed
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In terms of Red Bull’s development over the regulation cycle, the team has clearly made changes to and around the front suspension to improve performance.

The layout of the components has remained largely the same throughout though, with Red Bull utilising its high-mounted and novel mono-arm design for the upper wishbone.

The rear leg is mounted low to introduce more anti-dive and is positioned more effectively from an aerodynamic standpoint (yellow highlight, inset, right image).

Tracing the lineage of the chassis and bulkhead redesign process that Red Bull has chartered through the three years of these regulations shows that the team has progressively carved out more of the keel to improve the flow conditions beneath that section (red arrow).

Consequently, the inboard position of the lower suspension elements and the steering assembly have been moved throughout this period accordingly too.

Meanwhile, the team has also made changes to its wheelbase during this period, in order to find a better front-to-rear mechanical and aerodynamic balance.

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Red Bull RB20 rear wing comparison

Photo by: Uncredited

The issues faced by Red Bull appear to lie more in the combination of a higher-downforce aero package that runs at lower speed on bumpy street circuits.

These characteristics, paired with having to soften its suspension and likely having to raise the car’s ride height to counter the bumpy track surface and allow them to ride the kerbs, then contribute to a lacklustre response from the driver’s inputs and a challenge of getting on the throttle coming out of the corners.

But while Monaco proved to be uncomfortable territory, Red Bull knows that its performance isn’t indicative of how the car will perform everywhere this season.

And the next race in Canada could be especially fascinating as it is a place where kerb-riding can be important, but resurfacing work may well have eliminated a number of its previous bumps.

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/what-could-be-behind-red-bulls-kerb-riding-problems/10617396/

 

Wah wah wah- drive the ****ing car -
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Strange world we live in when Ferrari are getting rid of Sainz and Red Bull are keeping Perez.

 

Ferrari has to let Sainz go to execute a PR coup with Hamilton.

Perez is kept because Red Bull cannot find anyone who can live alongside Max.

 

F1 is about making money certainly not about making good 'sense' lol

 

Checo Perez signs a 2 year extension with RedBull.

 

I wonder if its a 1+1 contract as Horner only refers to 2025.....

 

Sainz's options are dwindling.

 

Carlos is playing hard to get, but that may cost him a good opportunity.

 

So another non secret for F1 lol. MaxBull confirmed as 1 and only person who matters there. Again RedBull leadership are cowards and the Constructors is nice but not as necessary as a MaxBull title. Perez, Stroll and other sub standard drivers continue to pollute the grid and make the sport less than it should be.

Here is an example of his skill LOL!
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Dont you mean "who would challenge Max"

 

Frankly I don’t get it.
Perez is hugely underperforming and could very well be a major factor in Red Bull losing WCC this year..
Maybe nobody would be Max’s teammate ?

 

How many millions does Perez bring to the table?

 

Current RedBull financials dont need Checo level assistance LOL.

 

Well he just obliterated 3 million at Monaco.

 

Red Bull is the benchmark right now.
Both in WDC and WCC.
I don’t believe they need Perez money in the end but who knows..

 

Lol

 

I don't think Red Bull are looking for a strong contender as #2, who would challenge Max.
There is no need for internal rivalry and dividing the points, is there ? Even for our entertainment

 

Well they could have released him last year............but wait............Horner LOL.

 

You are exagerating ! Perez is not "hugely underperforming". He had 5 podiums out of 8 GPs.
He is not at the skill lever of Verstappen, we all know that, but he is a valuable #2.

 

Maybe not, but they probably accept a few $Millions form Carlos Slim.

 

We will find out with both Mclaren and Ferrari closing the gap with Red Bull ( hypothesis).
Your statement is only good for a dominant car.

 

A current well known F1 analyst -

--Red Bull built its incredible F1 reputation on making bold, challenging and sometimes cut-throat decisions. This feels like the opposite of that.--

Certainly an element of truth above. They used to be the cool, edgy more youthful oriented team but now are just another F1 Big Team Franchise making safe and idiotic decisions lol. They said they would be different. How.............they clearly are not. No challenge to Max, nothing. This is literally a joke. You fire a drive who had a year like last and the last 2 races that were abysmal yet his team mate obliterates him. Again he is Stroll-esque. Pathetic actually to pass up Sainz or others.

Just look at the picture I posted earlier. Thats Perez decision matrix in action. He still employs it now.