It is no secret that Red Bull are in a difficult period. The RB20 is suffering from a combination of limited performance and poor drivability. After months of complaints about handling, Max Verstappen is fighting an uphill battle in the Championship. According to Helmut Marko, Red Bull are fearful that wind tunnel correlation could be their fundamental issue.
F1 News: Red Bull concerns grow
Red Bull were consistently off the pace in Italy, lacking the speed qualifying or race day to contend at the front. McLaren were in their usual position as the benchmark, whilst Ferrari’s updates put them firmly in the mix.
In addition to their growing pace, the defending Champions have to address the RB20’s characteristics. Max Verstappen’s feedback about his car is unchanged, with the team unable to rectify long-standing issues.
Helmut Marko explains what Red Bull could be the root of their dilemma:
“We have turned a racing car that dominated the first few races into a more or less unpredictable and very difficult car to drive,” he wrote in his Speedweek column.
“And we have to put an end to that.
“We explain such fluctuations in performance within a few minutes by saying that we have created a car that reacts extremely sensitively to the smallest changes.
“Be it the outside temperature, or a different tyre compound, or less fuel on board. And then the good vehicle balance is gone again.
“We also believe that comparing the findings from the wind tunnel and the race track is also part of the problem.”
Development remains uncertain
This team’s limited mid-season development is not necessarily something new. Red Bull made relatively minimal progress last season, although their massive advantage meant this was overlooked.
With three other teams firmly at the front, a failure to make meaningful improvements is increasingly costly.
Much like Christian Horner, Helmut Marko has emphasised that Red Bull are working on their problems. However, fixing an issue is altogether different from identifying it.
Therefore, with upgrades unlikely to arrive until the American GP in COTA (which is held almost one month after the Singapore GP) Red Bull have two months to give Verstappen a car capable of retaining his Championship lead.
