Red Bull Racing faces a new challenge in Formula 1, which could explain its recent difficulties. According to Alex Wurz, the team is behind its competitors in a very important aspect, something that has also been affecting Max Verstappen’s mood.
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The comment came after the Japanese GP, where the team’s performance once again raised questions. Despite having a promising power unit for the future with Red Bull Powertrains-Ford, Red Bull Racing still faces problems that go beyond the chassis and directly impact performance on the track.
Wurz, a former Formula 1 driver and current president of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), pointed to energy management as an area where the Milton Keynes team has been falling behind the competition. The Austrian highlighted that this factor has gained importance with the new regulations and may be influencing the team’s performance.
“When I look at Red Bull’s energy use in Suzuka and how they are managing it, I have to say they are behind the competition, at least compared to Mercedes and Ferrari,” Wurz stated during the ‘Lift and Roast’ podcast.
The analysis comes at a delicate time for Red Bull. The RB22 has been difficult to drive and presented problems in both China and Japan, leaving Verstappen and Isack Hadjar far from the ideal pace and fighting for positions with Alpine and Haas in the midfield.
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Even so, the in-house power unit has been performing above expectations. Despite being a project still in its early stages, the package is not expected to receive help through the additional development opportunities system, which reinforces that the main problems lie in other areas.
Wurz also commented on Verstappen’s criticism of the new Formula 1 regulations. He stated he understands the four-time champion’s position and believes the four-time champion would maintain the same stance, even if the team were more competitive this season.
Still, the Austrian believes that energy management has directly influenced the Dutch driver’s state of mind: “The way others are handling this energy certainly doesn’t help Verstappen’s mood,” Wurz concluded, indicating that Red Bull Racing still needs to evolve to keep up with its main competitors.
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