After starting the 2024 season with a significant cushion over rivals, Red Bull are losing ground. Improvements from McLaren and Mercedes have drastically altered Red Bull’s previously comfortable situation at the front of the pack. Perhaps of greater concern for Red Bull is the risk of falling further behind in the second half of the year.
Red Bull upgrades have a limited impact
Throughout last year, Red Bull made steady gains with their upgrades. However, they also benefited from the struggles of their traditional rivals – Mercedes and Ferrari.
This is no longer the case, with both teams addressing their underlying issues over winter to put themselves in a position to win races this year.
Mercedes have taken particularly huge strides, finally understanding a set of regulations that have frustrated them so greatly. Updates to the W15 have unlocked significant lap time this year, with wind tunnel data finally corresponding to the track.
James Allison’s technical team are on the rise, generating impressive momentum, given that their aerodynamic concept is relatively new.
An opposite phenomenon is taking place at Red Bull, whose latest upgrades to the RB20 did not work as intended.
Whilst providing a few aerodynamic gains, the most recent innovations from Milton Keynes have fallen short. Red Bull’s Technical Director, Pierre Wache, has spoken candidly about this:
“We improved compared to last year, without a doubt,” he told Autosport.
“But we didn’t deliver what we expected in some areas.
“Especially in the high-speed corners, we expected a little bit more than we have.
“Without thinking about the competitiveness of the car, so just based on our own references, we expected a little bit more with our tools.”
Rivals are here to stay
Wache also admitted that Red Bull expected other teams to close the gap. If anything, the Austrian squad anticipated their advantage would be eroded sooner.
Regardless of when Red Bull forecasted their advantage would dissipate, this is the reality they must face.
A major concern for the reigning Champions is that they have already introduced a series of large update packages. Other top teams, and McLaren in particular, still have substantial updates in the pipeline.
Given the trajectories of F1’s front-running teams, the pecking order could continue to evolve.
These changes might not be good news for Red Bull, whose position in the Championship is increasingly at risk.
A lot will also depend upon Sergio Perez, who must improve if the Austrian team want to defend the F1 Championship.
