Formula 1: The reason for Red Bull’s unexpected change of heart

Formula 1: The reason for Red Bull's unexpected change of heart

As a seasoned Formula 1 fan with a decade under my belt, I must say, Red Bull’s decision to scrap their special liveries for the upcoming races in Singapore and the United States is a strategic move that speaks volumes of their commitment to performance. Having witnessed the ups and downs of the sport, I can attest that every tenth of a second matters, especially in such a closely contested season.

For several races during the season, Formula 1 teams often showcase distinctive paint schemes, and Red Bull plans to unveil extraordinary designs on the RB20 for the upcoming Grands Prix in Singapore and the U.S., providing fans with something special to admire over the next two events.

Instead, mere days before the Singapore Grand Prix weekend commenced, they opted against using a unique paint scheme.

2024 has been a challenging season for Red Bull, with their performance not being this subpar since either 2021 or 2020 at the earliest. The team’s recent loss of the constructor standings lead to McLaren during the race in Baku has them in a frenzy, as Ferrari is rapidly catching up to them too.

As only seven races remain in a 24-race season, Christian Horner, the team head, is determined to take every possible step to assist the team in securing their third consecutive constructors championship. This goal is predicated on Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez performing at their peak as they bring the season to an end.

The reasoning for the change is surprising

Using a different shade of red paint for Red Bull’s unique designs might allegedly increase the weight of the RB20, which is something undesirable.

❗️Unfortunately, I won’t get to see the unique liveries for Singapore and COTA this season, as Red Bull has decided against adding any additional weight to the car.
— RBR Daily (@RBR_Daily) September 17, 2024

During a season where some projects haven’t panned out as planned, Red Bull is taking no risks whatsoever to sacrifice even tenths of a second during a race weekend.

Reducing your weight will primarily benefit the RB20 in terms of aerodynamics and speed, whether on turns or straightaways. However, the choice is a shrewd one, given that the Marina Bay Street Circuit features four zones for DRS (Drag Reduction System), making it one more than it had during previous races.

This move is aimed at helping Red Bull regain first place in the constructor championship, and the Singapore Grand Prix might be pivotal in Max Verstappen’s bid for a fourth straight world title. If he extends his lead or even falls behind by only a few points to Lando Norris, it could become extremely challenging for the British driver to close the gap across the remaining six races of the season.

Red Bull’s last-minute choice to forego their unique race liveries for events in Singapore and the U.S. might come as a shock, but this move could potentially boost their track performance significantly. Every hundredth of a second counts immensely for them in both championships.

2024-09-18 17:32

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