RB21: Red Bull Expands Scope, Keeps Verstappen Focus

Red Bull aims for a broader operating window with its RB21, while ensuring the car remains tailored to Verstappen’s unique driving style.

Red Bull continues to refine its car concept as the team develops the RB21, the future F1 car set to compete in the 2025 season for the Milton Keynes outfit. Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport consultant, explains that the team is not solely focused on aerodynamic downforce.

“We know what needs to be done,” Marko stated. “This car needs a wider operating window so that it doesn’t become immediately unbalanced with slight temperature fluctuations or minor technical changes.”

“That’s exactly what our engineers are working on. Forty points of downforce is great, but four-tenths on the stopwatch is what matters to me and the drivers. The car’s behavior must be predictable for the driver so that he can gain the necessary confidence.”

The 1971 Le Mans 24 Hours winner expects a very challenging 2025 season, with intense competition between several teams: “I am certain we will face a tight battle at the top next year, which is normal during the final year of a regulation cycle.”

“Competitors will be closer to one another. It’s common practice in Formula 1 to copy proven concepts. The more stable the specifications remain, the more similar the cars become. This automatically raises the performance level.”

“We will give everything we have next year. There will be a few changes in the team, as there have been some departures. But we are well-positioned, and I believe our team is capable of giving Max a car that will allow him to fight for the world championship once again.”

Marko confirmed that Red Bull will resolve the driver situation “in the coming days,” which could include an announcement regarding a split with Sergio Pérez: “Since Max is the fastest and best driver on the grid, it is natural that we take his preferences into account when developing the car’s handling characteristics.”

“I’m sure that as long as we provide him with a competitive car, he will remain with Red Bull Racing. We will announce the driver lineup for next year in the coming days. There’s a lot of speculation, and talk of severance packages that make no sense.”

The Austrian also sought to muddy the waters with positive comments about Yuki Tsunoda.

“During the post-season tests, Yuki Tsunoda had the opportunity to drive the RB20, and the team was very satisfied with his technical feedback. In this regard, he is much better than what is often said about him. He is one of the many talents we have in our ranks.”

Marko was impressed to see Verstappen learning to accept losing positions, as was the case in Las Vegas, where he settled for fifth place to secure the title: “Max has gained even more maturity this year. He was the strongest mentally, as a driver and in duels, and he has learned to do only what is necessary.”

“If you had said at the start of the year that he would let Lewis Hamilton and the two Ferraris go on track because he was only thinking about the world championship, you would have said it was absurd. But he did it because he knows where to focus.”

What impressed the Austrian most, however, was his driver’s performance in Brazil, where he came from 17th place to take the victory: “It was a psychological humiliation for the competition; he outperformed everyone and proved once again that he is one of the greatest of all time in this sport.”

“For us, and for him as well, that is the absolute priority. We do not concern ourselves with journalists’ assessments or any measure of popularity. The world title is awarded based on points, and those points clearly speak in favor of Max.”

“It’s true there isn’t always objective balance in the English media. But I also think there’s a phenomenon at play here: whoever appears as the new potential star or challenger always garners more sympathy than the established champion. But that doesn’t matter to Max—he always says what he thinks and shows his emotions.”