Red Bull Faces Trust Crisis with Tools Amid Data Issues, Admits Christian Horner

Christian Horner acknowledges that Red Bull faces challenges with reliability in their equipment due to discrepancies in data.

Christian Horner reveals that Red Bull is facing challenges in relying on their equipment due to problems identified in their data towards the end of the 2023 Formula 1 season.

Kicking off their defense of two world championship titles on a high note, Red Bull secured victories in seven out of the initial 10 races, demonstrating what seemed to be an unbeatable car. However, following the Spanish Grand Prix in June, they have gone through a dry spell, failing to win in the subsequent six

The current world champion team's RB20 has been plagued with issues related to balance and mechanics, challenges that the team has yet to successfully tackle, even after implementing numerous improvements in the past few months.

Max Verstappen ended up in sixth place during the Italian Grand Prix at Monza on Sunday, while his teammate Sergio Perez came in eighth. Horner acknowledged that Red Bull has recognized problems since the beginning of 2024, which also trace back to the previous year's United States Grand Prix.

"Horner expressed his belief that the problem has existed for a while, pointing out that upon closely examining the data, there were apparent issues with the characteristics from the start of the year."

"It's clear that some have advanced, and by intensifying our efforts with the package, the problem has become more apparent. Looking back at the data, there were instances in previous races, such as in Austin, where this began to surface."

"We are aware that this is a trait we must tackle, and it's our top priority at the manufacturing site to resolve it."

He also mentioned, "I believe if you look closely, some of these problems were present at the beginning of the year, even when we were securing victories by a margin of 20 seconds.

"I believe the latest improvements, although they added stress to the vehicle, have resulted in a disconnect between the front and rear. This is observable, even though our wind tunnel data doesn't indicate it; the real-world track evidence does."

"Therefore, addressing this issue is crucial, as having it undermines the reliability of your tools. Consequently, you're forced to rely on historical data and past experiences."

Verstappen's lead in the drivers' championship has been reduced to 62 points with eight races left, and Red Bull's advantage over McLaren in the team standings is now down to eight points.

After Sunday's race, the driver from the Netherlands emphasized that both championships could be at risk unless Red Bull undertakes significant changes to enhance the car's performance.

Horner admitted that Red Bull is facing pressure to make a significant improvement.

"He believes that grasping the problem is crucial and suggests that while it might not be possible to completely solve the issue, there are certain solutions that could mitigate parts of it," he stated.

"We now have a fortnight's break before the races in Baku and Singapore, followed by a shorter interval for us to utilize, between Singapore and Austin. Therefore, this period is essential."

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