Latest news with #RacingBulls
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Yuki Tsunoda Reveals Harsh Truth About Red Bull's RB21 F1 Car
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Red Bull Racing Formula One driver Yuki Tsunoda has revealed that it is taking longer for him to adapt to the RB21 F1 car than the VCARB 02 he drove at Racing Bulls previously. With the car reportedly designed around Max Verstappen, Tsunoda admitted that he hasn't seen any driver adapt to it quickly. Tsunoda was promoted to Red Bull after the Chinese Grand Prix in March, swapping places with Liam Lawson, who was demoted to Red Bull's junior F1 team, Racing Bulls. Lawson struggled significantly with the RB21, leading Red Bull to take drastic action after the first two races of the 2025 season. The 2024 season saw Sergio Perez face similar challenges with the RB20, given the balance problems that led to Red Bull losing the Constructors' Championship. Fortunately for Verstappen, the struggles were minimal, and his racing prowess led him to secure his fourth championship. Despite the challenge, the Japanese driver is optimistic that he will adapt to the RB21, even if it means taking up the remainder of the season. He said: Yuki Tsunoda of Japan and Oracle Red Bull Racing talks with Richard Wood, Race Engineer of Oracle Red Bull Racing in the garage during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at... Yuki Tsunoda of Japan and Oracle Red Bull Racing talks with Richard Wood, Race Engineer of Oracle Red Bull Racing in the garage during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 14, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec. More"I mean, I don't know. It depends on the driver, but also at the same time, I didn't see yet so far the driver who probably got used to it in that car straight away. So that's probably the fact. "But at the same time, I feel I'm in the right direction, at least on the short runs. Also in terms of the whole package, I know there's something to come as well into this year compared to Max. So once I get the full package, I still have good confidence that I can be in a level that they want. That's what I'm working hard on. "In terms of the long run is exactly the place that I'm still probably struggling at, but I'll find a way. I saw a couple of driving styles that I can try that I never tried in my career in Formula 1. It's just the learning stuff." Comparing the RB21 to the car he used to drive at Racing Bulls (then VCARB), Tsunoda said: "Is it true that in terms of confidence, when the condition changes every session, maybe I'm taking a little bit more time compared to where I used to have at VCARB where for example, I knew exactly how the car was going to drive in each set-up, I can go flat out from the first push. "But maybe in the Red Bull, I had to build up, which for me is the right approach. I don't think it's a wrong approach, but just takes a bit of time. I don't know if it's going to take a whole season or not, but at least it's positive that I'm going in the right direction."
The Sun
4 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Verstappen and Red Bull begin new chapter at Belgian GP
MAX Verstappen and Red Bull enter a new phase at the Belgian Grand Prix, marking their first race without long-time team principal Christian Horner. The Dutch driver, a four-time world champion, faces heightened scrutiny as he aims to reignite Red Bull's dominance under new leadership. Laurent Mekies, promoted from Racing Bulls, steps into Horner's shoes after the Briton's abrupt exit following 20 years of success. Mekies inherits a team in transition, tasked with stabilising Red Bull amid internal upheaval and Verstappen's rumoured 2026 move to Mercedes. Verstappen, who considers Spa a home race, remains optimistic. 'I was back at the factory last week to spend some time in the sim with the team,' he said. 'I'm looking forward to working closely with Laurent. Spa is a classic and always my favourite track on the calendar.' Meanwhile, McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris continue their fierce title battle. Norris, chasing a third straight win, aims to close Piastri's eight-point lead. The Australian, still smarting from a penalty at Silverstone, is expected to be aggressive in Belgium and Hungary. Mercedes' George Russell seeks redemption after last year's disqualification, while Lewis Hamilton eyes his first podium with Ferrari, who bring major upgrades. Nico Hulkenberg's recent podium for Sauber adds intrigue ahead of their Audi transition in 2026. Mekies faces immediate pressure with Saturday's sprint race. 'I'll spend my first weeks meeting the guys and girls who do the magic behind the scenes,' he said. - AFP
Scoop
6 hours ago
- Automotive
- Scoop
F1: 'We've Had To Reset'
The need for speed will be the challenge for Liam Lawson's team heading into this weekend's Belgium Formula 1 Grand Prix. The championship stops at the famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit for the 13th round of the season. Spa, near the German border, is one of the oldest tracks in Europe. It is currently the longest circuit on the calendar at just over seven kilometres, and contains high-speed straights and fast corners. Racing Bulls have not always been at their best on fast long circuits, and the team acknowledges the challenges of the combination of high-speed corners, long straights and significant elevation changes. Lawson has raced there before in F3 and F2, but has been back in the simulator to prepare. It has been three weeks since he raced the British Grand Prix, but he was involved in the Goodwood Festival of Speed a fortnight ago. "Spa is an iconic track with a lot of history. I've enjoyed racing here in other categories, so I am excited to tackle it in a Formula 1 car too." The 23-year-old scored his best points of the season with a sixth place finish in Austria last month, but then followed that up with a DNF at Silverstone when he was hit by another car on the first lap. "I'm excited to be back in the car after the short break we've had to reset, so feel ready for a strong end to the first part of the season." The weather is also expected to play a part with some rain forecast for the weekend. Added to that is that Belgium will hold the third sprint race of the season, meaning there is just one practice session before sprint qualifying and the sprint race followed by qualifying and the Grand Prix. In the first two sprint races, Lawson finished 14th in Shanghai (racing for Red Bull) and 13th in Miami. Racing Bulls chief technical officer Tim Goss said their set-up would rely on a lower rear wing level due to the high speeds. "With fewer track sessions for set-up work, we depend more on our pre-race preparations in the simulator. "We bring some modest performance updates and a dedicated rear wing. Preparations have gone well and we look forward to the challenge of a busy weekend ahead." Racing Bulls are seventh in the Constructors' standings, having recently been overtaken by Kick Sauber, who have found form in the last couple of races. Lawson's team-mate Isack Hadjar has had success at the circuit, winning there in F2 in 2024. Spa-Francorchamps hosted its first Grand Prix in 1925, and has held a Grand Prix every year since 1985, except for 2003 and 2006. It also holds numerous other top level motor racing events, including the 24 Hours of Spa.
RNZ News
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- RNZ News
F1: 'We've had to reset'
Liam Lawson of Racing Bulls. Photo: JAKUB PORZYCKI / AFP The need for speed will be the challenge for Liam Lawson's team heading into this weekend's Belgium Formula 1 Grand Prix. The championship stops at the famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit for the 13th round of the season. Spa, near the German border, is one of the oldest tracks in Europe. It is currently the longest circuit on the calendar at just over seven kilometres, and contains high-speed straights and fast corners. Racing Bulls have not always been at their best on fast long circuits, and the team acknowledges the challenges of the combination of high-speed corners, long straights and significant elevation changes. Lawson has raced there before in F3 and F2, but has been back in the simulator to prepare. It has been three weeks since he raced the British Grand Prix, but he was involved in the Goodwood Festival of Speed a fortnight ago. "Spa is an iconic track with a lot of history. I've enjoyed racing here in other categories, so I am excited to tackle it in a Formula 1 car too." The 23-year-old scored his best points of the season with a sixth place finish in Austria last month, but then followed that up with a DNF at Silverstone when he was hit by another car on the first lap. "I'm excited to be back in the car after the short break we've had to reset, so feel ready for a strong end to the first part of the season." Racing Bull's mechanics work on New Zealand driver Liam Lawson's car. Photo: GUENTHER IBY / AFP The weather is also expected to play a part with some rain forecast for the weekend. Added to that is that Belgium will hold the third sprint race of the season, meaning there is just one practice session before sprint qualifying and the sprint race followed by qualifying and the Grand Prix. In the first two sprint races, Lawson finished 14th in Shanghai (racing for Red Bull) and 13th in Miami. Racing Bulls chief technical officer Tim Goss said their set-up would rely on a lower rear wing level due to the high speeds. "With fewer track sessions for set-up work, we depend more on our pre-race preparations in the simulator. "We bring some modest performance updates and a dedicated rear wing. Preparations have gone well and we look forward to the challenge of a busy weekend ahead." Racing Bulls are seventh in the Constructors' standings, having recently been overtaken by Kick Sauber, who have found form in the last couple of races. Lawson's team-mate Isack Hadjar has had success at the circuit, winning there in F2 in 2024. Spa-Francorchamps hosted its first Grand Prix in 1925, and has held a Grand Prix every year since 1985, except for 2003 and 2006. It also holds numerous other top level motor racing events, including the 24 Hours of Spa. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Newsweek
13 hours ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda Open up About First Race With New Red Bull Boss
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda have opened up about the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix, their first race with new Red Bull Racing CEO and team principal Laurent Mekies. Mekies, who led Red Bull's junior F1 team Racing Bulls, replaced Christian Horner after the British Grand Prix. Mekies is Red Bull's first team boss after Horner since the team's inception in 2005. While the reason for Horner's sudden ousting remains unknown, Mekies' promotion to Red Bull arrives at a time when the team has been experiencing ongoing struggles with its RB21 car. For the first time in the current ground effect era, beginning in 2022, Verstappen isn't leading the Drivers' Championship. Tsunoda was promoted from Racing Bulls after the Chinese Grand Prix, swapping places with Liam Lawson, who was demoted to the team. The Japanese driver has been struggling to adapt to the RB21, a challenge similar to the one that his predecessors, Lawson and Sergio Perez both experienced. Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing and Yuki Tsunoda of Japan and Oracle Red Bull Racing talk on the fan forums stage prior to final practice ahead of the F1 Grand... Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing and Yuki Tsunoda of Japan and Oracle Red Bull Racing talk on the fan forums stage prior to final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 28, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. MoreAdditionally, there are rumors of Verstappen's ongoing talks with Mercedes for a potential switch in 2026, which could concern Mekies. Speaking to about the upcoming race at Spa with Mekies, Verstappen said: "I was back at the factory last week to spend some time in the sim with the team. I'm looking forward to working closely with Laurent. "Spa is a classic and always my favourite track on the calendar, a very old school circuit where you have to do everything right to get a good lap. I enjoy the high-speed corners such as Eau Rouge, the layout which is different to other circuits and elevation changes that make the track more of a challenge to drive." Tsunoda's experience working with Mekies at Racing Bulls will help him bond again. He added: "We are coming into this race in a new era for the team and it will be good to link up again with Laurent. We worked really well together at... Racing Bulls. I know how he likes to work and our full focus is on pushing forward and for me personally to start delivering the performance we need. "Spa is a fun circuit and one that could suit us well. The Sprint always makes things tricky but the work and preparation we have done in this off time should set us up nicely. "I have spent the time off racing mixed between training very hard and using the break to mentally reset. I wanted to be the best prepared I could be coming into Spa and in better condition, mentally and physically. I am feeling strong and sharp and looking forward to these next two races before summer break."
