F1 News: Red Bull Warned Turmoil Could Continue To Japanese Grand Prix
Red Bull's aerodynamic challenges during the Singapore Grand Prix Qualifying session have raised concerns about their performance in the upcoming race tomorrow as well as the Suzuka race next week. With former F1 driver and pundit Martin Brundle pointing to significant aerodynamic issues, the team faces a potential test of its mettle.
Key Takeaways:
- Singapore Struggles: Red Bull's previously impeccable season took a hit in Singapore. Both their leading drivers, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, had trouble handling an 'undrivable' RB19, failing to secure a top 10 qualifying spot.
- Technical Directive Debunked: Speculation arose that the newly introduced FIA technical directive, TD018, which pertains to bodywork flexibility, might be the cause of Red Bull's downturn. However, Ted Kravitz of Sky Sports F1 clarified that the team's issues aren't associated with this directive.
- Japanese Grand Prix Concerns: Brundle emphasised the aerodynamic issues the RB19 seems to be grappling with and indicated potential challenges for the team in the upcoming race in Suzuka, a track known for its aero demands.
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The Red Bull team, previously dominating the season, faced an unexpected decline during the Singapore Grand Prix Qualifying session. The once "rocket ship" RB19 underperformed, with both Verstappen and Perez finding it nearly impossible to maintain their cars on track.
Amidst a whirlwind of speculation around the sudden downturn, many pointed fingers at the FIA's newly issued technical directive, TD018. However, Ted Kravitz of Sky Sports F1 dismissed this during qualifying, noting, “Yesterday we saw the newer of the two Red Bull floors with the new edges... they do have some new floor edges." The team reverted to their older setup, further solidifying the view that the directive wasn't the primary issue.
Expanding on this, Martin Brundle joined the conversation with a critical observation. Brundle stated:
“It’s something dramatically affecting the aerodynamics. It can’t be suspension, geometry, kinematics or what have you. Something has completely destabilised the aerodynamics on that Red Bull around this track. The big telling point will be in Suzuka next weekend, they’ve got time to sort it out to an extent, because that’s very much an aero circuit.”
