RB20 Evolution: Red Bull’s Dilemma Ahead of Austin GP

Red Bull weighs two strategies for Austin, potentially opting for significant upgrades on the RB20 in the high-stakes sprint race.

Paul Monaghan, Red Bull’s chief engineer, explained the flexibility the current F1 break offers his team, as well as others.

F1 is enjoying a nearly four-week pause after the Singapore Grand Prix, with the next race taking place in the U.S. at the Circuit of the Americas on October 20.

This is the second major break teams have faced since the start of August. Unlike the traditional summer break, however, teams are not subject to a mandatory shutdown, meaning they can continue developing their cars.

After using a “makeshift” new floor at the recent Azerbaijan Grand Prix in an attempt to regain the balance of its F1 car, Red Bull is now assessing its development path ahead of the Austin race.

Will there be many or few upgrades? Both approaches are possible, profitable, and/or risky.

“This gives us the freedom to potentially do more,” Monaghan said about the 4-week break.

“You’re not forced to do it. The disciplined approach is to ask: ‘Is it worth spending the money to do it, to have it in Austin?’ Because don’t forget, Austin is a sprint race.”

“So you’re going to roll the dice in practice with the upgrades, and then it’s: ‘Okay, yes or no? Do we keep them or not?’ That’s the big question.”

“But it potentially leaves us the option to arrive with many or few parts at once. Will we put everything at once, or trickle them in? Both approaches are plausible.”

“Your choices for Austin depend on the team and, in some way, on the confidence we have in the developments we produce. If we’re convinced we’ve done a good job, everything will be there, otherwise, we’ll go step by step.”

“I’ll let you know when we get there—if I’m feeling generous—what we’ve done on the RB20.”