Red Bull Racing’s Early Jump on 2025 F1 Car Raises Stakes for Future Seasons

In a startling revelation for the Formula 1 world, Red Bull Racing has completed its 2024 car and shifted focus to the 2025 season. This development could signal a period of extended dominance for the team, following Max Verstappen’s record-breaking performance last year.

Key Takeaways:

• Early Completion of the RB20: Red Bull Racing finalized the development of their 2024 car, the RB20, six months ahead of schedule. This early completion has allowed the team to already start work on the 2025 RB21 model.
• Verstappen’s Historic Wins and RB19’s Dominance: Max Verstappen’s extraordinary success in the previous season, winning 19 out of 22 races, was partly due to the superior design of Red Bull’s car, RB19. Despite its dominance, the team identified areas of improvement from their only defeat at the Singapore Grand Prix.
• Preparation for Future Challenges: Red Bull’s proactive approach in car development, including the early start on the RB21 and anticipation for the 2026 regulations and partnership with Ford, demonstrates their strategic planning for continued success in the sport.

In the past season, Red Bull’s prowess in Formula 1 was unmistakably showcased through Max Verstappen’s exceptional performance, where he secured his third World Championship title by winning 19 out of 22 races. The RB19 car, designed by Adrian Newey, was a cornerstone of this success, dominating 21 out of 22 races and only falling short at the Singapore Grand Prix to Ferrari. This single defeat provided valuable insights for Red Bull, highlighting areas for improvement in their next model, the RB20.

Ben Waterhouse, Head of Performance Engineering at Red Bull, detailed the team’s analysis in an interview with Racecar Engineering. He stated, “We are aware that the RB19 had considerable limitations. If we think back to Singapore, weaknesses have certainly emerged. There are areas we want to improve, be it performance at high or low speeds. At the same time, [the car] had clear strong points, which we want to enhance while at the same time trying to address its critical issues.”

The early completion of the RB20, ready six months ago, has provided Red Bull with a significant advantage. As Waterhouse further revealed, “The RB20 is a car that is at least six months old and we are already starting to move our attention on the RB21, even if the season has not yet started.” This forward-thinking strategy indicates that Red Bull is not only preparing for the next season but is also setting the groundwork for their 2025 contender, the RB21.

However, 2026 presents a new challenge with the introduction of new regulations and the debut of Red Bull’s power unit developed in partnership with Ford. The regulation update from last year stipulates that all teams must start their new era car developments simultaneously, which means Red Bull cannot begin work on the 2026 car until 2025. This rule aims to level the playing field, but Red Bull’s advanced preparation for 2024 and 2025 positions them as a formidable force in the upcoming seasons.

As Red Bull forges ahead with its ambitious plans, competitors like Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren, and Aston Martin are reportedly focusing on their 2024 cars during the winter break. This raises a crucial question: Will the upcoming seasons witness continued dominance from Red Bull Racing, or will the competition rise to the challenge, fueled by Red Bull’s evident advancements? The anticipation for what the future holds in Formula 1 racing continues to grow.