The curtain has closed on pre-season testing in Bahrain, and one thing is clear: Red Bull did not have the ideal week it had hoped for.
Unstable weather conditions, minor reliability issues, and a car that at times seemed difficult to handle left a mixed impression.
For the first time in years, Red Bull appears to be starting the season as the hunter rather than the hunted. But is there really cause for concern?
A Hidden Evolution Beneath a Deceptive Exterior
When the RB21 first hit the track, it did not deliver the anticipated “wow” effect. Visually, it looks strikingly similar to its predecessor, raising questions about whether it was truly a new car.
Yet beneath this familiar shell lies a transformation far more radical than it appears.
Most of the changes are invisible to the naked eye, concealed beneath the bodywork. The aerodynamics have been refined in every detail, the floor—crucial to modern F1 performance—has been extensively reworked, and every unnecessary gram has been eliminated.
According to the team’s technical director, Pierre Wache, the shift from the RB20 to the RB21 is more significant than the transition from the RB19 to the RB20, despite their visual similarities.
“The way we extract performance is completely different,” he explains. “It’s not just an adjustment, but a true shift in philosophy.”
A More Versatile Concept, but Still to Be Unlocked
One of the RB20’s weaknesses last season was its narrow operating window. An ultra-fast car, certainly, but also temperamental. Red Bull aimed to expand this range to offer greater setup flexibility and better adaptability across different circuits. A bold move, but one that comes with a learning curve.
Bahrain testing revealed a car still searching for its optimal balance. Some days were promising, others more challenging, and the team did not always find the expected “sweet spot.” Unlike previous years, Red Bull did not immediately stamp its authority on the field. But is that a sign of weakness? Not necessarily.
“We have potential, that’s certain. But we still need to understand how to make the most of it,” Wache analyzes.
A Race Against Time Before Melbourne
In the final moments of testing, the Milton Keynes squad ramped up its evaluations—flow-vis paint applied to the bodywork, various setup experiments—all indications that the team was still unlocking the secrets of its own machine. Unlike its rivals, who completed more representative race simulations, Red Bull focused on deciphering its new aerodynamic philosophy.
Does this mean the four-time world champion team is in trouble for the season opener? Hard to say. Ferrari and McLaren appear to have gained an early edge in raw performance, but early-season car development is a game of chess. Red Bull has proven in the past that it can progress quickly and overturn the balance of power.
“For now, it looks like we’re not fast enough, but we’ll see,” admits Wache. “McLaren and Ferrari seem stronger today, but the season is long.”
The Hunter’s Instinct
Accustomed to unchallenged dominance, Red Bull enters 2025 in an unfamiliar position—as a contender rather than the outright favorite. But it would be unwise to write off the team too soon. Recent history has shown that even when starting at a slight disadvantage, Red Bull always finds a way through.
The RB21 may not have revealed its full potential yet, but it lurks beneath the surface. And if Red Bull has taught us anything in recent years, it is that when it shifts into “hunter” mode, it often becomes even more dangerous.
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F1 2025: Has Red Bull Lost Its Edge or Just Lying Low? F1 2025: Has Red Bull Lost Its Edge or Just Lying Low? F1 2025: Has Red Bull Lost Its Edge or Just Lying Low?
