Verstappen's Warning: Red Bull Wing Design Risky for F1 Drivers
Four-time world champion Max Verstappen has sounded the alarm over the safety of his Red Bull rear wing, describing the failures during last weekend’s Austrian and Silverstone Grands Prix as “super-dangerous.” The Dutch driver lost control at high-speed corners due to insufficient downforce when the wing was not fully closing properly. Verstappen expressed his disappointment with the car's performance, admitting that too many things go wrong.
According to reporting by BBC Sport - Formula 1Risk Management and Safety Concerns
The incident at Silverstone was particularly harrowing for Verstappen. He described swearing over team radio after the crash, saying: ‘I was lucky in Austria, I was lucky here. That’s why you get really fed up with it.’ The issue arises from a different mechanism on Red Bull’s car compared to others. Unlike DRS systems where the wing rotates upwards, Red Bull's design has the front edge flipping upside down and significantly wider openings in straight-line mode.
Team Principal's Take
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies acknowledged the problem: 'It is very unpleasant for drivers to be let down by the car in the high-speed corners in two consecutive races, let it be for different reasons.’ He added that as a team they will take this issue seriously and hope to prevent future crashes. Despite doubts over whether Red Bull should continue using this wing design, Mekies stated: 'I have no doubt that we will put everything necessary in place for that not to happen again.'
Implications on Verstappen's Future at Red Bull
Concurrently with the issue of car safety, there are uncertainties surrounding Verstappen’s future with the team beyond 2028. His performance clauses imply that he could leave if his form deteriorates further due to these technical problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Red Bull continue using their unconventional rear wing design?
Red Bull has options open and will reassess the risk after implementing safety measures. Other teams like Ferrari already have similar designs, prompting discussions on its viability.
What are the performance benefits Red Bull hopes to gain from their new design?
The team aims for greater drag reduction and straight-line speed by making the wing open much wider compared to conventional DRS systems. However, this introduces higher safety risks during high-speed cornering.