Max Verstappen shares his first impressions of the Red Bull RB21: “It’s already a huge difference”
The 2025 Formula 1 pre-season testing is in full swing, and all eyes are on Red Bull Racing after a mixed 2024 season. Max Verstappen, a four-time world champion, had the chance to get behind the wheel of the RB21 in Bahrain and seems fairly confident. After a season marked by unexpected struggles, the Dutchman appears relieved to have a more predictable and balanced car. But is it enough to regain the upper hand against McLaren and Ferrari?
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A more balanced F1 car and a revised philosophy
Last year, Red Bull started strong but lost ground as McLaren and Ferrari gained momentum. The RB20 suffered from an unstable balance, making it unpredictable to drive, especially towards the end of the season. This time, the RB21 appears to be a real step forward. Verstappen confirms: “It’s better everywhere. It’s already a huge difference compared to last year.” Red Bull has focused on improving stability and optimizing tire management—two key areas that proved costly in 2024. Team advisor Helmut Marko echoes this sentiment: “The long runs were competitive, and the car is much more predictable. Most of the issues we had seem largely resolved.”
Verstappen’s role in developing the RB21
From the end of last season, Max Verstappen and his technical team identified the key areas that needed improvement. The Dutch driver played a major role in the RB21’s development. “There were things that needed to be adjusted, and that’s exactly what we did. I gave my feedback on what I needed to go faster, and the team worked in that direction,” he explains. One of the main challenges was expanding the car’s operating window. In 2024, the Red Bull was dominant on certain tracks but difficult to handle on others. This inconsistency pushed the team to rethink some fundamentals without compromising pure speed.
Where does Red Bull stand against the competition?
While the early tests are promising, it’s still hard to gauge Red Bull’s position against its rivals. McLaren and Mercedes have also shown notable progress, and Ferrari remains a serious threat. Marko tempers expectations, noting that Bahrain’s conditions don’t necessarily reflect the rest of the season. “McLaren looks very fast and consistent, as does Mercedes. Ferrari, we expected a little more, but there’s still time to improve,” he analyzes. Another key factor will be how Liam Lawson adapts as Verstappen’s new teammate. For now, he’s still getting familiar with the RB21 and fine-tuning his setup. “He did well, but he didn’t get as much out of the medium tires as we expected,” Marko observes.
This article covers Max Verstappen’s first impressions of the Red Bull RB21 and his role in its development. Red Bull seems to have addressed last season’s issues, but the battle against McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes is shaping up to be intense. The question remains—will this evolution be enough to reclaim the Constructors’ Championship?
Images: © Red Bull Content pool
