Christian Horner highlights Red Bull Racing’s challenge to improve race pace, especially at the end of stints, ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix after struggles in Mexico. The team must analyze their performance issues linked to tyre grip and strategize against strong competitors McLaren and Ferrari, who have outperformed them recently, impacting their position in the Constructors’ standings.
Christian Horner, the Team Principal of Red Bull Racing, has identified the principal challenge for the team at the upcoming Brazilian Grand Prix as their need to match the race pace of competitors McLaren, particularly towards the end of tyre stints. Red Bull faced significant difficulties with race pace during the recent Mexican Grand Prix, which permitted drivers from McLaren and Ferrari to capitalize on their slower pace. Notably, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have displayed an ability to conserve their tyres and enhance their performance in the latter stages of races, a tactic that concluded with Norris closely pursuing and ultimately securing a position behind Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari, amidst the backdrop of these struggles for Red Bull. Max Verstappen, who faced challenges during the race including two 10-second penalties, echoed concerns regarding tyre grip during both medium and hard stints. Horner acknowledged the team’s shortcomings in performance, explicitly stating that understanding the issues resulting in decreased pace, particularly on hard tyres, is of utmost importance in the lead-up to Brazil. He expressed, “We just didn’t have the same pace. Max had no grip, we didn’t feel we could switch the tyres on. So that’s the biggest challenge in the next four days, to understand what caused that.” With the recent strong finishes by Ferrari’s drivers leading to a significant advantage in the Constructors’ standings, Horner conveyed the uphill battle Red Bull faces, noting that Ferrari’s recent successes have placed them above Red Bull. Despite these challenges, he affirmed the team’s commitment to strive for competitive results, stating, “We never give up. We’ll fight very hard. We need both cars, obviously, scoring.” Horner recognizes the need for enhanced race pace to secure their position and maintain competitiveness in the championship.
The article discusses Red Bull Racing’s performance challenges during the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix and sets the stage for the forthcoming Brazilian Grand Prix. It highlights the competitive landscape of Formula 1, particularly how McLaren and Ferrari have gained traction against Red Bull, emphasizing the need for the latter to improve their race pace, especially towards the end of the race. The context is enriched by recent performances and shifts in the Constructors’ standings, resulting in a more challenging situation for Red Bull as they approach Brazil.
In summary, Christian Horner has pinpointed the need for Red Bull Racing to address their race pace issues as they approach the Brazilian Grand Prix following a disappointing performance in Mexico. The apparent strength of McLaren’s tyre strategy poses a significant challenge, necessitating a thorough analysis to bolster Red Bull’s competitiveness. With Ferrari’s recent success complicating their standing, Red Bull aims to regroup and respond effectively.
Original Source: www.motorsport.com
