F1just now:Max Verstappen’s Las Vegas GP chances take a hit as Red Bull make big… Read more
Max Verstappen’s Las Vegas GP chances take a hit as Red Bull make big mistake
Max Verstappen’s chances of securing a fourth Drivers’ Championship title in Las Vegas this weekend have been significantly hindered following a major error by Red Bull, who have admitted to bringing the wrong rear wing to the track. In Formula 1, the rear wing plays a crucial role in determining a car’s aerodynamics. Specifically, the angle of the rear wing influences the car’s drag and downforce. On circuits where long straights dominate and downforce is less of a concern, such as Monza or Las Vegas, teams typically opt for rear wings that are flatter to allow for higher top speeds.
However, Red Bull’s rear wing choice for this race has caused a major setback, as the component is generating significantly more drag than the team expected. This issue is expected to have a substantial impact on Verstappen’s performance, making it much harder for him to replicate his victory from last year and potentially clinch the 2024 World Championship.
GPS data has shown that the Red Bull cars are losing as much as 7 km/h in top speed compared to their competitors on the straights, a considerable deficit that has placed the team in a difficult position. During Friday’s second practice session (FP2), Verstappen and his teammate Sergio Perez found themselves in a poor position, finishing P17 and P19, respectively. This is a clear indication that Red Bull’s struggles with the rear wing are affecting their overall performance, especially when compared to the top teams.
Helmut Marko, a senior figure at Red Bull, discussed the situation with Autosport and expressed the team’s frustration. He confirmed that the team had brought the wrong rear wing and admitted that the issue had put them at a disadvantage. Marko also acknowledged that they did not have a replacement wing available in Las Vegas, which left them without the option to quickly correct the mistake. When asked if the team could transport
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