Giancarlo Minardi Predicts Red Bull’s RB20 to Outshine Its Predecessor in 2024 F1 Season
Former Formula 1 team principal Giancarlo Minardi has sent a stark warning about Red Bull’s 2024 car, the RB20, being an improvement over the record-breaking RB19. In a season where Red Bull dominated with 21 wins, Minardi’s insights hint at an even stronger performance in the upcoming season.
Key Takeaways:
- Red Bull’s Dominance: The RB19, designed by Adrian Newey, led Red Bull to win 21 of the 22 races in the 2023 season, with Max Verstappen clinching 19 victories. This level of dominance set multiple records and showcased the team’s superiority.
- Minardi’s Analysis: Giancarlo Minardi suggests that Red Bull’s 2024 car, the RB20, could be even better than its predecessor. He believes that despite the grid getting closer, Verstappen has not yet shown his full potential, indicating a possibly stronger performance in 2024.
- Competitive Landscape: While Ferrari showed signs of growth and McLaren demonstrated potential in the latter half of the season, Minardi emphasized the importance of internal team dynamics over external judgments. He remains optimistic about the competitiveness and balance for the 2024 season.
The 2023 Formula 1 season was a testament to Red Bull’s engineering prowess and Max Verstappen’s driving skill. The Milton Keynes-based team, leveraging Adrian Newey’s design genius, secured championships in both years of Formula 1’s ground effect era. The only exception was the Singapore Grand Prix, where Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz managed to win, offering a brief challenge to Red Bull’s dominance.
Minardi’s remarks to Gazzetta dello Sport underline a critical observation. Despite the grid getting closer in the second half of the 2023 season, he believes that Red Bull’s upcoming car, the RB20, will set a new bar in performance. His analysis of the races suggests that Verstappen, already a three-time champion, was not driving at his full potential, which if true, spells an ominous sign for Red Bull’s rivals.
The former team boss also reflected on Ferrari’s performance, describing it as a “season of growth.” His comments highlight the complexities of assessing a team’s true capabilities from an external viewpoint. His perspective on the team dynamics and the internal workings within Ferrari provides a nuanced understanding of their season.
Looking ahead, Minardi also shed light on McLaren’s resurgence in the latter half of the season with its B-spec MCL60 car, which he believes offers a glimpse into what the 2024 season could hold. With the stability of the regulations, he anticipates a more competitive landscape, where small margins could lead to significant shifts in team performances.
As we approach the 2024 Formula 1 season, the anticipation and excitement continue to build. With teams like Ferrari and McLaren improving and Red Bull potentially fielding an even stronger car, the stage is set for another thrilling year in the world of Formula 1 racing.
