The United States Grand Prix is expected to be the most important race for the Championship fight. This is basically the last chance for all the teams to bring in some major upgrades for the final stretch. Red Bull desperately needs their upgrades in Austin to work. However, the team faces another hurdle as the FIA is forcing them to make changes to the RB20.
Coming to Austin, Red Bull already has an uphill battle considering that the pace of their car is way off McLaren’s. To add to the trouble, the team cannot test their upgrades patiently as there is only 1 practice session before the Sprint qualifying. And now with this new hurdle, things have become very challenging for the reigning Champions.
FIA forces Red Bull to make changes to the RB20
On Thursday, many teams were concerned about a potential exploit being used by a team to alter the floor bib height between qualifying and the race. As the matter was brought up, Red Bull admitted to using a front bib.
A Red Bull spokesperson told BBC Sport: “Yes, (the device) exists, although it is inaccessible once the car is fully assembled and ready to run. In the numerous correspondence we have with the FIA, this part came up and we have agreed a plan going forward.”
Red Bull has admitted the existence of a front bib device on the RB20. After conversations with the FIA, Red Bull has agreed to make changes moving forward.
A Red Bull spokesperson told BBC Sport:
“Yes, (the device) exists, although it is inaccessible once the car is fully… https://t.co/BqKspXKqh5
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) October 17, 2024
Yes, the RB20 had a front bib that was questionable, to say the least. However, Red Bull has spoken with the FIA and has agreed to make certain changes to the car. But this may not be as simple as it sounds.
Coming to Austin, the Austrian team is bringing a new set of major upgrades to the RB20. These upgrades are meant to either make the RB20 faster than the McLarens or at level with them. But with so many hurdles this weekend, it will be challenging for Red Bull to get the right setup with the new upgrades and the changes concerning the front bib in just 1 hour of practice.
What are Red Bull’s chances for the Constructors’ Championship?
If this question had been asked before the Miami Grand Prix, the answer would have been in favour of Red Bull. But a lot of things have changed since then. Back at Baku, McLaren took the lead in the constructors’ Championship by 20 points. In Singapore, McLaren further increased this lead to 41 points.
Considering the form McLaren has been in during this second half of the season, it will be very difficult for Red Bull to get back into the fight. McLaren has both their drivers fighting for podiums in every race. But Red Bull has only Max Verstappen.
⚠️ | Christian Horner on the origins of Red Bull’s Struggles:
“We have traced the development history back and it turned out that the first mistake already happened to us with an underbody upgrade in Barcelona in 2023. That was also the Grand Prix, from which Checo got his… pic.twitter.com/toDlaWj0lE
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) September 16, 2024
Sergio Perez has not been able to compete in the top 8 since Miami. Without both cars fighting for podiums, it is unlikely that Red Bull will be able to win the Constructors’ Championship. But there is still one chance for the Austrian team.
If Red Bull’s upgrades this season work, we could see both drivers fighting for podiums once again. If Perez is still not able to perform, the team has to seriously reconsider their lineup for the 2025 season.
Do you think Red Bull’s upgrades will work this weekend? Post your thoughts in the comments section below.
