Red Bull are intensifying their efforts to transform their struggling RB21 into a Formula 1 title contender, following a season of mixed fortunes.
At the Japanese Grand Prix, four-time world champion Max Verstappen produced a masterclass, defying the odds to secure pole position and his 64th career victory.
His performance outshone the car’s capabilities, highlighting both his skill and the team’s ongoing challenges with the RB21.
Team principal Christian Horner admitted after qualifying that the mechanics had “turned the car upside down” to extract every ounce of performance, a response to Verstappen trailing the pace in Friday practice.
Despite Verstappen’s heroics, Red Bull have been grappling with the RB21’s shortcomings since mid-2024. An alarming dip in form last year threatened Verstappen’s title defence, with the Dutchman securing the championship despite winning just two races in the final 14 rounds, having dominated with seven victories in the first 10.
The team’s struggles have carried into 2025, compounded by the departure of legendary designer Adrian Newey, who left his role as chief technical officer to join rivals Aston Martin.
Chief engineer Paul Monaghan remains optimistic, insisting Red Bull are not far off the pace setters. “We’re what, one, two-tenths off the quickest car in the pit lane,” he said to the media.
“Last year’s car had some flaws, and we’ve addressed those quite significantly without giving away much, in my opinion. Now we’ve got to try and get this one to be a little better.”
Monaghan dismissed suggestions of a disconnect between improving drivability and driver feedback. “How twitchy your car is, or how nervous your car is, perhaps you will say it is relative,” he added. “I bet there are 18 other cars in this pit lane that all of us would find really quite difficult to drive.
“If we find a few hundredths in each corner on a five-and-a-half kilometre circuit with 20-something corners, all of a sudden, we’re on the pace of the current lead car.”
Red Bull’s focus is clear: enhance the RB21’s stability and speed to make it easier for Verstappen and teammate Yuki Tsunoda to extract its full potential. “If we can do that, and put some lap time into it, all will be well and good,” Monaghan concluded. “We’ll be in the hunt.”
The team’s next opportunity to showcase their progress comes at the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix, set for 57 laps around the 5.412-kilometre Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir on Sunday, 13 April.
For Red Bull, every tweak and upgrade is a step towards reclaiming their place at the front of the grid.
