In an effort to reverse their recent decline, Red Bull have introduced a modified floor to the RB20 in Baku. This is not an updated component, but rather a combination of different floor specifications from earlier in the season. Red Bull have gone through the data to try and rediscover a strong baseline for their 2024 challenger. At least so far, the signs are encouraging.
How Red Bull plan to find their form in Baku
Over the last few weeks, it has become abundantly clear that Red Bull lack pace. Not only is the RB20 in desperate need of more performance, but Max Verstappen has complained for months about the car’s balance.
Unfortunately for the defending champions, updates are not expected until the American GP in October. Despite struggling with similar issues for some time, the potential solutions found in the wind tunnel have failed to translate on track.
With no upgrades incoming for the short-term, Red Bull have been forced to improvise. Their response to their current predicament is a modified floor, which is fitted to both Verstappen and Perez’s cars in Baku.
This modified floor has been introduced to retrace the team’s steps and return to a more stable aerodynamic platform. By doing this, the factory in Milton Keynes hopes to give its drivers a more comfortable car.
This is not a long-term fix, but instead an attempt to give Verstappen and Perez a slightly more competitive machine to prevent McLaren and Ferrari from inflicting more damage.
Although Andrea Stella’s team cannot be written off, Red Bull can be pleased with their pace in Friday Practice. Unlike the first day of running in Italy two weeks ago, the RB20 is setting similar times to McLaren.
Of course, there is still time for the papaya squad to unlock more performance from the MCL38. However, it is clear that Red Bull are in a far better place than
