Red Bull will make one ‘radical’ change to Max Verstappen’s car at Imola in ‘crucial’ bid to catch McLaren

Max Verstappen led the drivers’ standings by 33 points when F1 arrived at Imola for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix a year ago, yet he trails Oscar Piastri by 32 this time.

Red Bull have fallen far from the perch they held as the dominant Formula 1 team to kick off the 2024 season, which ultimately helped Verstappen to hold off McLaren rival Lando Norris and become a four-time champion. But McLaren would take control in the teams’ standings.

McLaren have also further enhanced their dominance over Red Bull this term to help Piastri and Norris emerge as the favourites for the F1 drivers’ championship. Verstappen refuses to give up his reign, though, and has often overcome his car’s deficiencies to be in the title mix.

Despite Red Bull’s through-corner balance problems that may never go away and have been a constant issue, Verstappen remains a thorn in Piastri and Norris’ sides ahead of the Emilia Romagna GP. Red Bull also hope their upgrades at Imola can reduce their deficit to McLaren.

Red Bull will fit a ‘radical’ sidepod upgrade on Max Verstappen’s car at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix

That is according to RacingNews365, which reports that Red Bull will run a ‘radical’ sidepod upgrade on Verstappen’s car at Imola as part of a raft of changes for the Emilia Romagna GP. Red Bull even view the start of the European part of the 2025 F1 season at Imola as ‘crucial’.

READ MORE: The most successful drivers at the Formula 1 Emilia Romagna GP of all time

Bar the trip to Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix in June, F1 is setting up camp in Europe with seven of the next eight rounds through the start of August. Red Bull thus view Imola as a vital circuit to close their gap to McLaren and rebuff any upgrades Ferrari or Mercedes run.

So, Red Bull will fit a ‘radical’ new sidepod profile on Verstappen’s RB21 at Imola, along with improving the vertical airflow guides under the floor of his car. The Dutchman and, possibly, Yuki Tsunoda will also run modified bodywork at the rear of their cars to aid the suspension.

Christian Horner needs Red Bull’s Imola upgrades to deliver amid doubts about his future

Verstappen is not alone in needing Red Bull’s upgrades to deliver at Imola, as team principal Christian Horner is facing doubts about his future in Milton Keynes. It is said Red Bull’s Imola upgrades are decisive for Horner’s future given the team’s disappointing start to the season.

READ MORE: The most successful teams and engine producers at the Emilia Romagna GP

Majority shareholder Chaleo Yoovidhya is losing trust in the Briton’s leadership following the Milton Keynes crew falling to 141 points behind McLaren in the constructors’ standings after six rounds. Verstappen even finished P4 and 39.956s behind Piastri in the Miami Grand Prix.

Verstappen scored pole for the Miami GP last time out but, apart from running Norris off at Turn 2 on the opening lap, was not able to fight either McLaren driver. His defensive driving against Piastri and Norris as they charged through in Florida would only delay the inevitable.