New RB21 F1 automotive wants wider working window

Pink Bull thinks that enhancing its automotive steadiness, somewhat than merely delivering extra downforce on its RB21, is vital to its Method 1 title ambitions in 2025.

The Milton Keynes-based outfit confronted some struggles all through this season after an early benefit was wiped away by its major rivals from the Miami Grand Prix.

And though Max Verstappen ended the yr as drivers’ champion, thanks partially to a superb factors buffer he constructed up initially of the season, the squad completed third within the constructors’ championship behind McLaren and Ferrari.

Desirous to not lose out once more in 2025, the crew has religion, after attending to the underside of what occurred with its automotive this yr, that it may well deal with the vital components wanted for a fightback.

In his common column in Speedweek, Pink Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko wrote that the mindset was not about merely chasing extra downforce.

“We all know what to do,” he mentioned. “This automotive wants a wider working window, in order that it would not instantly turn out to be unbalanced when there are slight temperature fluctuations or minor technical adjustments.

“That is precisely what our engineers are engaged on. Forty factors of downforce is nice, however 4 tenths on the stopwatch is what pursuits me and the drivers. The dealing with should be predictable for the motive force in order that he can construct up the mandatory confidence.”

On the again of the sphere getting extra aggressive this yr, Pink Bull is underneath no illusions that the battle in 2025 will maybe be even tougher with the foundations remaining unchanged.

“I’m certain that we’ll be dealing with a detailed battle on the high subsequent yr and that’s regular within the final yr of a regulation interval,” he mentioned. “The sector can be nearer collectively.

“It’s common apply in Method 1 to repeat profitable ideas. And the longer the specs stay secure, the extra related the automobiles will turn out to be. This robotically will increase the extent of efficiency.

“We are going to give it our all once more subsequent yr. There can be some adjustments within the crew, as there have been some departures. However we’re properly positioned and I consider that our crew is able to giving Max a automotive that may allow him to battle for the world championship once more.”

Christian Horner, Workforce Principal, Pink Bull Racing, talks with Helmut Marko, Marketing consultant, Pink Bull Racing, Sergio Perez, Pink Bull Racing

Photograph by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photos

Pink Bull is about to announce its 2025 driver line-up earlier than Christmas, amid hypothesis that it may half methods with Sergio Perez after a disappointing season for the Mexican.

Marko mentioned that it was apparent the crew could be designing its RB21 round Verstappen’s driving model – so whoever slotted in alongside him would want to adapt to that.

“Since we have now the quickest and finest driver within the area in Max, it is just pure that we take his preferences into consideration with regards to creating the automotive’s dealing with traits,” he mentioned.

“I’m certain that so long as we give him a aggressive automotive, he’ll keep at Pink Bull Racing.

“We can be saying information within the subsequent few days about what the motive force pairing will appear to be subsequent yr. There may be quite a lot of hypothesis, and switch charges are being talked about which can be full nonsense.”