RB CEO Peter Bayer has praised the team for expediting an upgrade to the Australian Grand Prix that helped boost the team’s position in Formula 1’s midfield battle. The squad from Faenza had demonstrated glimpses of speed in the first two races, but had yet to see the results of their efforts. However, Yuki Tsunoda’s impressive performance in qualifying and the retirement of other high-profile drivers allowed him to finish in seventh place. This, combined with Haas’ double points finish, propelled RB into sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship. Bayer commended the engineers for their tireless work in developing the VCARB 01 car, stating that the points earned were not only important, but also the team’s position in the race. He acknowledged the challenges of competing against larger teams, but expressed his pride and happiness for the hardworking and passionate individuals in the team.
In the tabloid format, last season’s top five teams seem to have a significant advantage over the rest of the field. This means that teams like RB are focused on maximizing their chances in tough races in order to score points. RB Team Principal Laurent Mekies believes that their sixth-place finish in Australia is a testament to their competitiveness in the early stages of the season.
“The team leading the midfield is currently in sixth place,” added RB Team Principal Laurent Mekies. “This position reflects where we have been in every race so far, with our ups and downs. It’s only the third race of the season, so there is still a long way to go. The classification is going to change because teams will bring updates and there will be a lot of movement within that group.”
Mekies also emphasized that the competition in the midfield is fierce and RB must remain grounded. The small margins between teams mean that RB could easily drop down the order if they don’t continue to work hard.
“We need to stay humble and work even harder than before because this midfield battle is ruthless,” he warned. “By pushing ourselves to the absolute limit in every aspect, we can maintain our slight advantage. But it doesn’t mean that we will always be at the top of the midfield. Every race weekend is a fight for that last tenth of a second. The upcoming race in Japan will be a significant reset, and even the smallest improvements can make a big difference in the final standings.”