Red Bull’s rivalry with McLaren is taking a similar form to 2024. A constructors’ scrap between the two looks unlikely, but they could battle it out for the drivers’.
Max Verstappen is the only Red Bull driver to score points so far this year, with teammates Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda failing to do so in three attempts. By contrast, the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have combined for 111.
That already puts them 36 clear at the top of the championship and 50 ahead of Red Bull. But Verstappen is second in the drivers’, just one point behind Norris.
Last year, rule breach accusations flew back and forth between the two teams. Red Bull led the protests over McLaren’s wings – front and rear – while Zak Brown raised questions over the front bib on the RB20.
McLaren are the hunted at the Bahrain Grand Prix, and so it’s no surprise to see the pattern of last year continue.
Red Bull are trying to ‘light the fire’ among F1 fans over McLaren rear wing at Bahrain Grand Prix
Leading up to this weekend’s race, Jos Verstappen reposted a video that seemingly showed McLaren’s rear wing flexing considerably in Japan. The footage also featured the rear-facing camera on the Red Bull, where the movement was comparatively minimal.
Speaking on Autosport’s YouTube channel, Stuart Codling said Red Bull are ‘annoyed’ about the situation. However, they won’t be able to lodge a formal protest because the wing has passed the requisite tests.
Thus, Christian Horner’s team have adopted a different strategy. They’re trying to ‘light the fire’ in the media, getting F1 fans on side and putting pressure on the FIA.
That, in turn, might prompt the sport’s governing body to bolster their rear wing tests. There will be a clampdown on front-wing flexibility at the Spanish GP next month.
“It’s still going on,” Codling said. “Red Bull clearly annoyed about this footage appearing to show the McLaren rear wing flexing at speed more than the Red Bull rear wing was at Suzuka.
“They can’t do anything about it because that wing has been subjected to all the load tests and been found legal. What do you do when you can’t protest something because it’s legal? You get the media and the fans talking about it and try and light the fire the other way.”
Martin Brundle bemoans the mistake made by McLaren drivers in Max Verstappen battle
Red Bull are hopeful that the Barcelona rule changes will swing the season back in their favour. Verstappen may have produced a masterful pole lap at Suzuka, but even he won’t be able to win the title at a deficit of three to four-tenths over a full season.
One thing that could aid Verstappen is McLaren’s conservative approach. Naomi Schiff believes Norris and Piastri are restricted during races, with the lead car protected after a set number of laps.
Verstappen taunted the McLaren drivers, in the eyes of Martin Brundle, by saying he could win in dominant fashion if he drove the MCL39. Brundle was disappointed to see them take the apparent bait in their interviews.
Red Bull have previously shown an interest in Piastri, but he committed to McLaren by signing a new long-term contract in March. Woking is now arguably the more attractive destination.
