Max Verstappen, the driver for Red Bull Racing, took the lead at the start of the race at the Australian Grand Prix. The race, which took place on March 24, 2024, was part of the Formula 1 World Championship and was held at Albert Park in Melbourne, Australia.
According to Chrisitan Horner, the boss of Red Bull Formula 1, the Australian Grand Prix revealed a potential weakness in their RB20 car on circuits that put a lot of strain on the front tires. The entire F1 grid at Albert Park struggled with front tire wear and heavy graining. Despite Verstappen’s early retirement from the race, Carlos Sainz emerged as the winner. Some, like Sergio Perez, believe that Verstappen would have had difficulty keeping up with Sainz and Ferrari even if he had finished the race. This suggests that the Red Bull RB20 may not be as dominant and versatile as previously thought.
The last time Ferrari and Red Bull competed for victory was at the Las Vegas Grand Prix in 2023. That race also had prevalent graining and a Safety Car intervention that helped Verstappen secure the win over Charles Leclerc. Horner acknowledged that Ferrari is particularly strong in this area and it’s not a coincidence that they performed well in Vegas and at Albert Park. He expressed the need for improvement on circuits that put a lot of strain on the front tires.
Ferrari Team Principal, Fred Vasseur, was asked about the comparison between the Vegas and Albert Park races. He praised Ferrari’s development in managing tire wear and mentioned that they were able to set the fastest lap on the last lap in Jeddah. This indicates that they are moving in the right direction when it comes to managing tire stints.
Red Bull’s weakness in front tire management will be tested once again at the next race in Suzuka, which features fast-sweeping curves. This sets the stage for another battle with Ferrari throughout the weekend. The outcome of the Japanese Grand Prix will provide insight into whether Horner’s concerns will be proven right and if Vasseur’s optimism will be justified.
For those who predicted that Red Bull would dominate the 2024 season, the Australian Grand Prix results may offer a glimmer of hope. Verstappen’s early retirement in Melbourne gives reason to believe that the upcoming races, starting with the Japanese Grand Prix, will provide a more balanced competition.