When the chequered flag come out at the Australian GP, Max Verstappen was only a few tenths behind race winner Lando Norris.
However, this small gap was only thanks to a combination of floor damage Norris picked up and a late Safety Car.
Red Bull were nowhere near McLaren in terms of raw pace, with the MCL39’s tyre degradation putting it in a league of its own in Albert Park.
After the race, Verstappen made clear he did not expect to contend with the papaya team unless the RB21 improved.
Eight rounds later, the Dutchman is still within striking range of the McLaren duo – with the promise of closing the gap further after the FIA’s technical directive.
However, the 4-time Champion is less bullish about the impact of these changes than his team principal – Christian Horner.
Red Bull on the Spanish GP directive
When the FIA announced its clampdown on ‘flexi-wings’ in pre-season, there was plenty of speculation across the paddock.
It didn’t take long, however, for Red Bull to make their perspective on the new rules clear.
Christian Horner anticipates McLaren to lose some of their advantage from the Spanish GP onwards.
Among other things, some rivals believe the MCL39’s flexible front wings are one of their main performance advantages.
Because of this, the Milton Keynes outfit have determined this weekend as a potential turning point in the standings.
Max Verstappen accepts there could be a change in the pecking order this weekend, but he does not anticipate any massive shift:
“I hope it makes a tiny bit of difference,” Nextgen-Auto quotes him as saying.
“But I don’t think it will turn the world upside down.
“If it comes our way a little bit, then I think that’s positive – but we’ll see.”
Are McLaren worried about the technical directive
McLaren have repeatedly stated that they do no anticipate the FIA’s new directive to harm their performance.
Team principal Andrea Stella and CEO Zak Brown have been united in their dismissal of allegations – from Red Bull and other teams – about capitalising on flexi-wing loopholes.
Of course, regardless of whether they fear losing out after this directive is implemented, they would never admit so publicly.
What is curious, and perhaps could be used to assess McLaren’s true opinion on the incoming directive, is that the papaya team have not introduced any major updates so far this year.
In fact, they are the only front-running team that hasn’t brought a major package in 2025.
This could be interpreted as McLaren simply pursuing a more cautious development strategy. They can afford to do this, thanks to the MCL39’s very strong baseline.
However, a more cynical perspective could be that the Woking outfit have spent the last few months working to mitigate the impact of the FIA’s new flexi-wing measures.
Should Andrea Stella’s team believe the new directive could harm their performance, it would make sense to dedicate resources to their new front wing for this weekend – which might explain their relatively minimal updates elsewhere.
At this stage, this is nothing more than speculation.
There is nothing to validate Red Bull’s suspicions about their British rivals.
Only when the cars go to track in Barcelona will the true impact of the new directive become clearer.
Main photo: Mark Thompson/Getty Images (via Red Bull content pool)
