In Singapore, Max Verstappen managed to limit the damage with a precious second place, a result that went beyond Red Bull's expectations for the weekend. Despite the car's difficulties that emerged during free practice and qualifying, Verstappen kept calm, managing to bring home a vital placing at a crucial stage of the season. However, the Austrian team has not won since the Spanish Grand Prix, and must face a period of technical and strategic adaptation, further aggravated by the exit of key figures. In this context, Christian Horner expressed his confidence about the future, explaining that the problems of the Red Bull RB20 have finally been understood and that the team is working to resolve them, as demonstrated by recent races.
Monza: the lowest point and the beginning of the recovery
For the team principal, the Monza Grand Prix marked a critical moment in the 2024 season. “I think Monza was the low point,” Horner said, noting that the race highlighted the main technical issues of the Red Bull RB20. However, it was precisely from there that the process of analyzing and addressing the critical issues began. Monza allowed the engineers to identify the causes of the car’s limitations, laying the foundations for the changes that are starting to bear fruit.
“We have understood some of the issues with the car, and I think we are starting to address them,” Horner explained, suggesting that development work is progressing in the right direction. Already in Singapore the car responded more closely to the simulations, and this is a positive sign for future races, where the team will introduce further technical updates to further improve performance.
The challenge with McLaren and Perez's performance
Another crucial element in the championship fight is the need for Red Bull to have both drivers at the top of their game. While Verstappen continues to bring home valuable points, Sergio Perez has had an up-and-down streak, alternating solid performances with difficult weekends, such as the one in Singapore.We need two pilots who can go at full speed,” said Horner, underlining the importance of having Perez consistently fighting for the top positions.
McLaren, meanwhile, has consolidated its lead in the constructors' championship thanks to the consistency of its drivers. Lando Norris's win and Oscar Piastri's third place in Singapore showed the effectiveness of their strategy and the potential of their car. Red Bull, currently trailing by 41 points, will have to rely on both of its drivers to try to close the gap in the final races of the season.
Source statements: FormulaPassion
