Max Verstappen fires stern Red Bull warning for…
MAX VERSTAPPEN holds a comfortable 116 points lead in the world championship with just six races remaining.
Max Verstappen has been warned he may be unable to replicate the success of this season next year. Red Bull’s chief engineer Paul Monaghan has stressed the team may not be able to continue its dominance with new rules changes and less development time.
The FIA is introducing changes to the cars to combat porpoising issues seen with many of the teams this season. If Red Bull secures both championships they will also have the least amount of wind tunnel time to sort out their new package.
He explained: “Next year we have some rule changes and we have less resources than our rivals in terms of aerodynamics or hours of wind tunnel and CFD use because of our results in the Constructors’ Championship. I could counter-argue that we have the best people in our factory, but that’s perhaps a bit of an egocentric view.
Max Verstappen fires stern Red Bull warning for…
“So, I’m not sure that this year’s performance can be carried over to 2023, I can’t say that the home straight of this season will be beneficial for us next year.” Verstappen has won 11 races this season and only finished off the podium in one Grand Prix when he reached the chequered flag.
However, the team has been aided by the difficulties faced by Ferrari in their title challenge. Charles Leclerc was forced out of the Spanish and Azerbaijan Grand Prix while leading after suffering mechanical failures.
Ferrari has also suffered a range of strategic errors with Leclerc dropping points in the Monaco, British and Hungarian Grand Prix. Leclerc has also lacked consistency with the Monegasque only picking up two podiums since May.
Meanwhile, Mercedes have started to make progress with Lewis Hamilton in contention for victory at the Dutch Grand Prix.
Monaghan stresses this could make it difficult for the team to stay ahead of the chasing pack.
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He added: “We have to move at least at the pace of our rivals. We have to manage the rule changes for floor edge height well, as well as the change in stiffness, trying to lose less than our rivals or at least the same amount. Obviously I think we will still be competitive next year. But if the question is whether we can repeat what we’re doing right now, I’m not sure.”