Red Bull’s performance at the Australian Grand Prix wasn’t anywhere near as bad as it could have been on the evidence of pre-season testing.
Max Verstappen challenged for victory until the end of the race and placed Lando Norris under intense pressure in the wet conditions.
There were fears that Red Bull may be fourth-fastest but they were soon quashed after the reigning champion qualified third behind the dominant McLaren cars.
He has relinquished the lead in the drivers’ championship for the first time in three years, but the weekend could have ended far worse. New teammate Liam Lawson is a good example of that after he retired from the race.
Verstappen proved he has one vital skill in Melbourne by managing to keep his car on track when it mattered. It’s an advantage over his rivals who flew off the track in tricky conditions and is a reason why he was able to achieve a podium in the season-opener.
READ MORE: Max Verstappen must be worried after F1 expert declares Red Bull aren’t ‘anywhere near’ McLaren in key area
Christian Horner says Red Bull’s ‘first step’ to catch McLaren is to gain downforce
Red Bull’s car was impressively quick in a straight line at Albert Park. Both Verstappen and Lawson were inside the top four through the speed trap.
It means that they may be packing less downforce than their rivals. Christian Horner told Auto Motor und Sport that it’s something they want to address first on the RB21.
“If we manage to get to this level, then we would also preserve our tyres as well as they do. The first step is certainly to find more downforce,” he said.
However, it’s contrary to what their rivals have been warned of. Aston Martin were left focusing on an ‘old-school obsession’ which ruined their car in 2024 – downforce.
Red Bull cannot afford to fall into the same trap as any slip-up would likely spell the end of Verstappen’s chances of a fifth consecutive drivers’ title.
READ MORE: Kimi Antonelli told he will never be another Max Verstappen after ‘frightening’ Australian Grand Prix decision
Why Jos Verstappen was worried about Red Bull at the Australian Grand Prix
Last year’s RB20 was dominant at each of the next two races. The Chinese Grand Prix was a breeze for Verstappen who won by more than 13 seconds.
McLaren’s incredible rate of development means that they will be much closer rivals to them this year than they were before.
Jos Verstappen was worried about Red Bull in Australia but the wet conditions were probably an advantage to them. He made a bet that they would be slower than they were.
In the dry, there’s a good chance that their woes are heightened. It’ll be down to Max more than ever to make up the difference.
