Max Verstappen and Red Bull want to fight back during F1 in Japan.
With a big update.
Max Verstappen during F1 in Japan, where the cherry trees are in bloom. (AP-TT)
For the first time this year Formula 1 hair Red Bull presented a big update on their car RB20, it’s not about some “zero sidepods”, but well modified sidepods with air intakes next to the cockpit, mounted next to where the halo is attached, which complements the air intakes that are further back.
The stable has also changed the floor under the car, this should also have a positive effect on the aerodynamics.
– Everything was already planned before the start of the season, explains Red Bull’s chief engineer Paul Monaghan.
In doing so, he clarifies that the update is not a reaction to the fact that Max Verstappen broke the last heat in Australia. The team also claims that the reason for Verstappen’s break was a series of circumstances dating back to him crashing during practice. One thing led to another which built on the problems which ultimately led to the champion having to park the car after just a few laps.
Red Bull with big update ahead of F1 in Japan
Also Ferrari has a minor update with it to Japan, while Aston Martin has presented a whole list of changes ahead of F1 in Japan, including a new floor, new sideboards, a new diffuser, changes to the engine cover and also the air intakes. Also Alpine has an update with it, its first for 2024. The stable is this year’s big disappointment and the goal is to reduce air resistance on the front part of the car, improve aerodynamics, which should increase downforce. There are also unconfirmed reports that it has reduced the car’s weight which should also improve lap times.
Even Williams notes updates and Racing Bulls a new floor, while McLarenHaas and Mercedes not reporting any updates. Haas and McLaren has yet to make a change in 2024.
Rain at Suzuka ahead of F1 in Japan
McLaren, who had a good race in Japan last year and took two podiums, was noted for the fastest time in the second session. Oscar Piastri was fastest during a session marked by rain, but dried up towards the end of the session. His 1:34.725 was half a second faster than Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton. According to Hamilton, today’s first session was the best that Mercedes has had this year.
The times from the training sessions can be found herebut they don’t say much.
Incidentally, Lewis Hamilton has received a new engine. He will not receive a penalty this weekend, but that means he has three engines left for the remaining 21 races and six sprints. The same goes for Perez, Ocon and Tsunoda.
Alex Albon crashed his Williams in Australia, in Japan it was his colleague Logan Sargeant who drove off. That time the chassis made it, but according to team principal James Vowles, pretty much everything else was broken after that ride.
Wonder what would have happened if the chassis had been unusable, do you think Albon would have been allowed to leave his car to Sargeant?
Vowles also announces that Williams will not have a spare chassis before the race in Miami, USA. It’s the first weekend in May. The same applies to Alpine.
There is a lot of talk about Sebastian Vettel ahead of F1 in Japan. Comeback? (AP-TT)
Which drivers will drive F1 2025?
Toto Wolff would not have been there in Japan, but he is and of course he comments on the driver market during the press conference. He is a politician of great proportions and after Sebastian Vettel’s statements about a possible comeback in Formula 1, he says:
– You can never rule out Sebastian.
He also points out that the driver market is “dynamic” and that it will take time before he can announce a decision. He ends by smiling and saying that he is not going to reveal how many names are on his list.
Daniel Ricciardo och Yuki Tsunoda (Getty Images for Visa Cash App RB )
Stannar Daniel Ricciardo hos Racing Bulls?
Daniel Ricciardo gets a new chassis for the next round in China. He has had difficulty keeping up with his colleague Yuki Tsunoda and the Racing Bulls want to “just make sure” that there is no problem with the chassis. Ricciardo, who got the chance from the start this year, is hard pressed. He is yet to score any points and is well aware that his predecessor was only given half a season to prove his skills before being sacked in the summer of 2022. Then Ricciardo took over.
Once we’re inside the Racing Bulls, we got to see Ayumu Iwasa during the first practice and Helmut Marko was very pleased.
– He did well, he was less than a second slower than Yuki Tsunoda and that is very positive, says Marko to ORF.
I’ll see you at the qualifier tomorrow, right? You follow it in F1-live. Welcome to our virtual living room!
Here you will find all the times of the weekend, here is more information about the tire choices for the Japan GP.
You also have the option to listen to our podcast, Pedal to the metal. There we talk about this weekend’s competition in Japan and more about who has left – and may leave Red Bull.
