There is renewed optimism over Red Bull Racing's 2025 car after recent sim sessions with star driver Max Verstappen.
The 2024 season was difficult for Red Bull, who began the year in sensational form but struggled to get to grips with the car's small operating window as the year progressed.
In 2025, the hope is that this year's car, which is essentially an evolution of the last, will be easier for drivers Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson to handle.
Pre-season testing in Bahrain recently highlighted some issues with the RB21, which the team acknowledged, and Verstappen, the four-time and reigning World Champion, even commented publicly that he doesn't see the team winning this weekend's season opener at the Australian Grand Prix.
All of this clearly concerns a team that is hoping to get back on top in the Constructors' Championship while also looking to secure Verstappen a fifth-consecutive Drivers' Championship.
However, there appears to be hope on the horizon for the Dutchman and the Milton Keynes team in general, according to former Formula One driver and father of Verstappen, Jos Verstappen.
Speaking to Joe Radio in Belgium, Verstappen Sr. said: “The first day of testing, Max was super happy. Then they changed parts again, and you name it, then he didn’t like the feeling as much.
“Then they went back to how it was on Wednesday, but he didn’t get back the feeling he had on Wednesday. So that just makes it even harder to see where you stand; it’s just very unclear.
He added: “Let me put it this way, Max was not satisfied. You can call it that, but there is a difference between dissatisfied and not satisfied. He is definitely one hundred per cent behind the team and is confident because he was in England just last week.
He concluded: “That’s where he is in the simulator, and when he came back, he had a much more positive feeling, so let’s hope we can continue that.”
If simulator data suggests that the car can compete with McLaren and Ferrari after new parts and upgrades are brought in, then that should give Red Bull optimism that they will be competitive throughout 2025.
If the car isn't quite at the level expected, Verstappen's quality could still be an important factor, and opponents would be smart not to rule Red Bull out just yet, especially if the RB21 upgrades can elevate it to where the team hopes it can be.
Wet weather conditions are also expected in Australia this weekend, which will suit Verstappen well, as evidenced by his dominant performance at the Brazilian Grand Prix towards the end of 2024.
