McLaren’s Secret Weapon Stuns Red Bull in F1 Battle

Red Bull is baffled by McLaren’s unexpected pace and tire mastery, but they’re confident they can close the gap in five races.

Christian Horner has dismissed claims that an earlier pit stop for Max Verstappen in the Australian Grand Prix could have secured Red Bull a dramatic win over McLaren.

Verstappen overtook Oscar Piastri on the first lap, but a mistake on lap 17 saw him lose second place to the Australian. As the race transitioned from wet to dry conditions, Verstappen struggled to keep pace, while McLaren managed its intermediate tires exceptionally well.

A safety car on lap 34—triggered by Fernando Alonso’s crash—led the pack to switch to slick tires. Verstappen opted for mediums, while McLaren went for hards.

The race took an unexpected turn on lap 44 when sudden rain forced both McLarens off track—Piastri ended up in the grass, while Norris, who eventually won, had to pit for intermediates.

Verstappen delayed his tire change by two laps, losing a crucial track position. But would an earlier stop have changed the outcome?

“No, we analyzed the data. He would have still been just behind,” Horner explained. “We were hoping the weather would help us gain an advantage.”

“That late rain shower gave us an opportunity. If it had been brief rather than lasting multiple laps, staying out on slicks would have paid off—just like Ferrari tried to do.”

“It’s about working with the driver. The first two sectors were still quick, but the final sector became tricky. We knew the rain wouldn’t last long, but it was just too much.”

McLaren’s Mysterious Strength Leaves Red Bull Intrigued

Red Bull—and much of the paddock—are trying to figure out how McLaren has built a car that excels in both tire warm-up and longevity.

“This is the biggest advantage I’ve ever seen in this area,” Horner admitted. “Normally, pushing tires too early leads to higher wear. But McLaren seems to have cracked the code. Usually, you trade one for the other, but they’ve nailed both on this track.”

“A well-balanced car changes everything. It’s always a mix of aerodynamics and mechanical grip. You can see how McLaren positions itself perfectly, especially here. That translates into incredible tire life.”

Red Bull Targets a Comeback Within Five Races

Despite McLaren’s dominance, Red Bull remains confident they can turn things around within five races.

Dr. Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s ever-optimistic advisor, believes the key is managing tire performance.

“After 8 to 10 laps, we saw significant degradation, while McLaren was a second faster. But we think we can close the gap in five races.”

“We know what we need to fix and we’re working hard on it,” Marko added. “It’s all about heating the tires quicker and making them last longer. We have upgrades coming, but it will take some time.”

Until then, Red Bull and Verstappen will keep pushing.

“Pressure changes everything. Piastri made mistakes, and Norris almost lost it too.”

“They are two great drivers in an almost perfect car. But this is just the first of 24 races—we’re not giving up yet.”