Latest news with #RB21
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Red Bull Confirms Timeline to Cease F1 Car Development
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Red Bull Racing senior advisor Helmut Marko has confirmed that a decision will be taken during the race weekend at Silverstone or Spa Francorchamps to halt the development of the 2025 RB21 F1 car. As Formula One approaches a new era of regulations in 2026, teams will have to juggle between the development of two cars this year. 2026 marks the year when F1 cars will be very different from the cars of the current ground effect era as new regulations will be introduced. Apart from being lighter and smaller with active aerodynamics, the new car will run on 50 percent electric power for the first time in the sport's storied history. The other half will be powered by an internal combustion unit running on sustainable fuels. However, given F1's budget cap rule, which limits how much teams can spend on the development of their cars in a given year, all outfits will have to carefully balance the development of both cars. Thus, choosing the perfect moment to shift focus from the 2025 car to the 2026 car will be most crucial. Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen stops in pit lane during the third practice session for the 2025 Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada, on June 14, 2025.... Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen stops in pit lane during the third practice session for the 2025 Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada, on June 14, 2025. More TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images Red Bull has partnered with Ford under the Red Bull Powertrains banner to develop engines for the new era, and Marko has admitted that a decision will likely be made next month to decide the developmental cut-off point. Speaking to Kleine Zeitung ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix race weekend, he said: "There's a precise allocation of how the wind tunnel and all the tools are used. At some point, however, they'll say: 'Okay, that's it for further development'. For two reasons: time - and the production of new parts takes time - and the cost cap. "So the question is: Where do you allocate your resources? "I assume after Silverstone or Spa at the latest, there will be a decision to focus entirely on the new car." A new regulatory era means it is tough to predict which team will have the most powerful and reliable power unit. Marko revealed details of Red Bull's progress and addressed Mercedes' power unit claim. He said: "Mercedes has declared itself the favorite, but there's no evidence of that. The development of the combustion engine alone is incredible. The engine is smaller than the one in my lawnmower! There are three or four things that are important for the new car: the combustion engine. "We're on board with that, and unless there are durability issues, it won't be a game-changer. The battery is crucial; we're starting with a conventional solution for that, and gasoline is a very important factor. Development in this area is going very well with our partner Exxon."
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
New FIA Guidelines Suggest Max Verstappen Should Have Been Banned From Racing
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Red Bull Racing Formula One driver Max Verstappen looks like he escaped a race disqualification for the incident involving George Russell during the Spanish Grand Prix. This was highlighted after the FIA released the stewards' guidelines, released in a bid to encourage transparency. The stewards' guidelines document is meant to educate fans on how they hand out penalties to drivers and teams for offenses committed during race weekends. It highlights the steward's decision-making process, which involves weighing the nature of the incident and levying an appropriate punishment based on the magnitude, intent, and consequences of the incident. However, the document has shed light on the punishment levied on Verstappen for crashing into Russell in the last stage of the Spanish Grand Prix. A late-race safety car forced Red Bull to fit Verstappen's RB21 with hard tires while rival cars ran on medium Pirellis. Second placed qualifier Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing in the Drivers Press Conference during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 14, 2025... Second placed qualifier Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing in the Drivers Press Conference during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 14, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec. MoreThe race restart saw Verstappen struggle in a battle for third place with Charles Leclerc as his car struggled for traction. At the end of Turn 1, Russell tried to get past him for the fourth spot. Sensing a collision, Verstappen drove off into the run-off area and rejoined the track in front of Russell. Fearing an incoming penalty for overtaking off the racetrack, Red Bull instructed Verstappen to hand P4 to Russell, which he did under frustration. But before this, Verstappen crashed into Russell as the Briton went for the overtake. The stewards handed the Red Bull driver a ten-second penalty and added three points to his super license. That brought Verstappen's super license points tally to 11, leaving him one short of a potential race ban. The four-time world champion admitted after the race that he made the move on Russell out of frustration, which confirms the deliberate nature of the incident. The stewards' guidelines released by the FIA today suggest that four penalty points should have been added to Verstappen's super license. The punishment for "Causing a collision with apparent deliberate or reckless intent" is a "10 Stop and go, or any time penalty exceeding 30 seconds (or grid place penalty if the driver failed to finish the race)." In addition, four penalty points are added to the driver's super license. Adding four points to Verstappen's super license would have banned him from participating in the following race in Canada. While the reason for issuing three penalty points to the Red Bull driver remains unclear, it highlights that the punishment levied is not in line with the rules mentioned in the stewards' guidelines. Now, it remains to be seen if the FIA will comment on the matter.
Daily Mirror
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Red Bull chief admits Max Verstappen won't be happy as F1 car plans discussed
Red Bull technical director Pierre Wache knows that Max Verstappen is 'our main asset' and that means no prospect of changing the car so that it is easier for Yuki Tsunoda to drive Red Bull's top technical chief has ruled our making their car easier to drive in order to help Yuki Tsunoda find his feet. That's because sacrificing performance for comfort is likely to upset "our main asset" Max Verstappen. Red Bull are no longer the dominant force on the Formula 1 grid with rivals McLaren currently ruling the roost. But Verstappen has continued to perform with two race victories to his name so far in 2025 and the Dutchman is third in the drivers' championship behind only Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. In contrast, the second seat at the team remains a source of great frustration. Liam Lawson was dropped after just two rounds as he buckled under the pressure, but his more experienced replacement Tsunoda has also struggled and hit a new low in Barcelona when he qualified 20th and dead last. Tsunoda had put in some impressive performances for sister team Racing Bulls, whose car is slower but more driveable than Red Bull's temperamental RB21. But while the team believes they can learn from their junior outfit, technical director Pierre Wache has ruled out going down the same route altogether. "It's difficult – we are a team and problems are part of it," the Frenchman told RacingNews365. "We are rewarded for the team championship. It's very important to have a second driver performing well. As a technical [leader], it's important to have two drivers giving feedback and views. Even more if they operate close to each other, it's even better for us at the top. "At the moment, it's not what we have. We have to try and help Yuki as much as possible, like we did in the past. We didn't manage with Checo [Sergio Perez], we didn't manage with Liam. With Yuki, we are trying." But when asked if Red Bull could choose driveability over outright pace to help bring Tsunoda closer to the front of the grid, Wache said the team would not be willing to risk angering Verstappen who likely wouldn't be pleased with the loss of performance. He added: "I'm not sure that we want to create a VCARB. "We can learn stuff but, if we gave that to Max, I'm not sure that he would be happy. He's our main asset in terms of performance. [We don't want to] reduce the overall potential of the car to make it easier." The RB21 has been a superb qualifying car in Verstappen's hands – he has beaten even the McLarens to pole position for three of the nine Grands Prix held so far in 2025 and he has an average qualifying position of third on the grid. Race pace, however, hasn't always been able to match. That is where the sister Racing Bulls car has been stronger, allowing drivers to manage tyre wear better and that is the key characteristic that Wache wants to take from the VCARB 02 and apply it to the RB21. He said: "It doesn't mean we don't have to improve. What we can extract from these cars is the degradation, the race pace."
Metro
01-06-2025
- Automotive
- Metro
What time is the F1 Spanish Grand Prix today? Starting grid and how to watch
Lando Norris can take the lead of the Formula 1 championship by beating teammate Oscar Piastri to victory at the Spanish Grand Prix today. The gap between the McLaren drivers is just three points after Norris got back to winning ways at last week's chaotic Monaco Grand Prix. Hot on their rear-wing is Max Verstappen who has driven himself into title contention despite continued problems with his Red Bull RB21 car. Here's everything you need to know about today's race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya: Piastri put in a fantastic final lap in qualifying to snatch pole position away from Norris with a time of 1:11.546 – two tenths quicker than his main championship rival. Remarkably, Verstappen and George Russell set the exact same lap time, but the reigning champion will start ahead as he set the time first. Sir Lewis Hamilton said his car was 'undriveable' in practice but managed to qualify fifth, while there was disaster for the other Red Bull of Yuki Tsunoda who will start the race in last place. Spanish drivers Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz had contrasting Saturdays, qualifying 10th and 18th respectively. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) Lando Norris (McLaren) Max Verstappen (Red Bull) George Russell (Mercedes) Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) Pierre Gasly (Alpine) Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) Alex Albon (Williams) Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) Oliver Bearman (Haas) Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) Esteban Ocon (Haas) Carlos Sainz (Williams) Franco Colapinto (Alpine) Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) Lights out for the Spanish Grand Prix is today at 2pm UK time. The race is 66 laps long, with Max Verstappen currently holding the lap record with a time of 1:16.330 that was set in 2023. Predictably for Spain, there's zero chance of a wet race, with nothing but bright sunshine and scorching temperatures of 31C forecast. The race will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event, with their coverage set to begin at 12.30pm Highlights will be shown on Channel 4 at 6.30pm. Or better still, you can follow all the action on Metro's LIVE blog from 1pm. Speaking ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, Johnny Herbert believes Lando Norris will be pipped to the title by his teammate. More Trending 'I still think Oscar Piastri is the favourite for the Drivers Championship because he's becoming a force to be reckoned with,' the former F1 race winner told Fast Slots. Drivers Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 161pts Lando Norris (McLaren) – 158pts Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 136pts Constructors McLaren – 319pts Mercedes – 147pts Red Bull – 143pts 'But it's the change of when he first came on board. He was finding his way. Now he's found his way. And from this point on, he's only going to grow stronger and stronger. Like I think we saw with Max Verstappen. 'Oscar Piastri is pretty much close to knowing what he needs to do from within his own team with Mark Webber [his manager], also knowing what needs to happen from the media side, but also then what happens within the team itself. 'He's even outfoxing Max in a racing situation and getting the better of Max. So, he's playing that race-craft very smartly at the moment. He's putting down a marker and making a statement.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Luis Enrique T-shirt in Champions League final pays tribute to daughter Xana MORE: Netflix fans lap up new number 1 film based on shocking real-life murder MORE: Nervous flier claims Jet2 marched her off plane 'like criminal'
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Max Verstappen downplays flexi-wings clampdown: "It's all manageable'
Max Verstappen says the fresh clampdown on front wing flexing won't impact his Red Bull's performance and is sceptical about the FIA's intervention affecting his rivals as well. After imposing stricter limits on rear wing flexing in the off-season, and tightening them further in China and Japan, F1's governing body is also implementing harsher tests from this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona. Advertisement Many teams and observers in the F1 paddock have been eagerly looking forward to this weekend's race to see how it impacts the pecking order. Some believe frontrunner McLaren has been the most advanced at exploiting aero-elasticity, which is supposed to help with the car's set-up and the compromise between low- and high-speed corners. But Verstappen, McLaren's main challenger, isn't so convinced and feels the change won't have a big impact. "Not for us. I can say that with quite a lot of confidence," he said on Thursday in the Barcelona paddock. "I think those wings never really gave us a massive performance gain. I don't know if we got it wrong or didn't extract the most out of it. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Erik Junius Erik Junius Advertisement "But even for the other teams, I'm sure it's all manageable. If you have a good car, you have a good car. The front wing bends a bit less." Red Bull has made progress in recent weeks unlocking performance from its RB21 car, and in Imola Verstappen was able to defeat the McLaren in a clean fight, the first time this year that the team has been undisputedly quicker over a race stint. But Verstappen still feels McLaren may have underperformed in Italy, and when quizzed by added that he doesn't think their relative performance at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix will necessarily carry over to the Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya, which is another high-downforce layout that should suit the Red Bull. "Imola was, of course, at the end very positive. But to try and replicate something like that... I don't know. We'll try to do our best," the four-time world champion said. Advertisement "But I also don't know if Imola was just a very strong showing from us or maybe a weaker showing from McLaren. It's very hard to tell." Last week's Monaco Grand Prix did show Red Bull's long standing weaknesses on bumpy street circuit is still present, so he has singled out high-downforce circuits with fast corner and less kerb riding as Red Bull's ideal hunting ground. Read Also: What F1 is clamping down on with flexi-wings at the Spanish GP Lando Norris claps back at McLaren wing scrutiny: "They have absolutely no idea" "All the street circuits [will be difficult] car-wise," he said. "And I hate street circuits. I think the more high-speed corners, that will be more competitive for us, actually, because I think that's where you don't really need to hit any kerbs. Advertisement "Our car is quite good in the high-speed. We just need to try and bring that a bit more down to the medium-speed and especially the low-speed. We've won two races that have been at quite high-speed tracks, so I think it shows that that's where we are strong. "All the other tracks where we've been lacking a bit, it's all been a little bit more low to medium-speed." To read more articles visit our website.
