Red Bull is reportedly losing north of half a second on the straights in Las Vegas after bringing the wrong specification rear wing.
Max Verstappen goes into the race in a commanding position to secure his fourth consecutive World Championship, knowing that if his current 62-point lead stands at 60 or more after the final classification, he will retain the title. However, it looks like he will need to work even harder for that achievement than already planned.
Red Bull losing six-tenths after bringing wrong rear wing
Additional reporting by Elizabeth Blackstock
Verstappen ended the second practice session P17 and team-mate Sergio Perez P19, with Auto Motor und Sport reporting that Red Bull are giving up six-tenths on the straights alone as they packed the wrong rear wing for the Las Vegas GP, with the version they brought creating too much drag.
Adding that Red Bull would need to get a suitable version flown to Las Vegas from England by the morning, Red Bull senior advisor Helmut Marko was asked by Autosport whether this would be possible.
“No,” was his reply, Marko confirming that a smaller rear wing “would be more helpful, for sure.”
The FIA issued a statement addressing the technical incident involving Red Bull Racing during the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The controversy stemmed from the team’s rear wing design, which allegedly exploited a loophole in the regulations, sparking debate over its compliance.
The FIA clarified that while Red Bull’s wing design technically adhered to the current regulations, it went against the spirit of the rules. In response, the governing body announced an immediate rule clarification to close the loophole and ensure fairness among all competitors. The move drew mixed reactions, with some teams praising the swift action, while others, including Red Bull, criticized the timing and perceived inconsistency in enforcement.
Red Bull’s performance in Las Vegas was hindered as the FIA required immediate adjustments to their car setup. This affected Max Verstappen’s competitiveness, leading to tensions between the team and the governing body. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner expressed frustration, emphasizing the importance of regulatory stability for competition integrity
This incident underscores the ongoing challenges in balancing innovation with regulatory compliance in Formula 1. The FIA has reiterated its commitment to refining rules to ensure fair play and competitive parity across the grid
