REPORT:Why Red Bull won’t commit to radical changes with RB21 F1 car

Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner has revealed that the team will focus on an “evolution” of their current car for the 2025 Formula 1 season, rather than pursuing any drastic design changes. With attention gradually shifting towards the major regulation overhaul in 2026, it doesn’t make sense for Red Bull to introduce radical updates to their car, especially with the constraints of the cost cap. The team’s current issues with the RB20, particularly balance problems that have allowed McLaren to take the lead in the standings, highlight the need for fine-tuning rather than a complete redesign.

Horner explained that the team will carry over certain components from this year’s car into the next season, only making performance-driven adjustments where necessary. This approach is influenced by both the cost cap and the lessons learned from the ongoing season. As Horner noted, the key is to make incremental improvements while staying competitive until the regulations change in 2026.

Red Bull’s future looks especially challenging as the team embarks on an in-house engine project in partnership with Ford for the 2026 season. This venture marks a significant shift for the team, as it has aggressively recruited 600 people and built new facilities to handle the engine development. Horner acknowledged that there would be short-term struggles but emphasized the long-term benefits of having chassis and engine engineers working closely together.

The team has also faced difficulties this season with wind tunnel correlation issues, which have exacerbated the RB20’s balance problems. Their current wind tunnel, which has been in use since 2005, is now considered outdated. However, a new facility is under construction, although it won’t be ready for the development of their 2026 car.

In summary, Red Bull is aiming for a strategic balance of refining their current car without major changes, while preparing for the new engine regulations and overcoming existing infrastructure limitations .

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