The Milton Keynes-based team has comfortably led the field since the rule change at the start of 2022 that brought F1 into the new era nailing the change with a new form of aerodynamics and working from a few tenths to a full second per lap before suffering his rivals. But now that their own development path has become less obvious and the teams they once left in the dust are advancing much faster technically, they face a real challenge.
The fifth round of the 2024 season in China, six races ago, was probably the last time Red Bull had the clear fastest car on the grid. Since then, Ferrari and Mercedes have both significantly closed off the pace on their own, taking pole in Monaco and Canada, but McLaren have really held the Bulls back.
McLaren took their first win with Lando Norris in Miami and should probably follow up the success in Canada two weeks ago and last weekend in Spain. Norris himself admitted that he had the fastest car in Barcelona.
“We were the fastest today – we had the best car there and I didn’t maximize it,” said Norris, finishing second behind Max Verstappen despite pole. “The start is up to me. With a good start, we should have won easily.” The fact that Verstappen was still able to dominate in both Montreal and Barcelona is proof that even if Red Bull no longer has a clear speed advantage over its rivals, the Dutchman drives at a level that rivals simply cannot match. Norris may have the technique to deal with him, but his inexperience at the front of the field means Red Bull and Verstappen are still relatively comfortable.
So the threat to management and driver is not from Norris, but much closer to home..
