Home
Red Bull’s technical director, Pierre Waché, has offered a cautious and somewhat pessimistic outlook for the team as they head into the 2025 Formula 1 season. Following three days of pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit, the six-time constructors’ champions face uncertainty after a disrupted preparation period.
A Challenging Pre-Season Test
During the Bahrain tests, Red Bull encountered intermittent reliability issues that hampered their progress. Neither Max Verstappen nor Liam Lawson was able to complete a full race simulation, leaving the team with limited data to assess their performance.
Reflecting on the testing period, Waché did not shy away from addressing the challenges. “The first day was okay,” he told The Race. “[The second day], we didn’t find a sweet spot. And we also had some issues. So it is difficult to say in terms of competitiveness at the moment.”
The team’s struggles were compounded by a series of unexpected red flags during the Bahrain tests, which further limited their track time. These interruptions were particularly costly as Red Bull aimed to address the issues that plagued their 2024 car, the RB20.
Lessons from the 2024 Season
The RB20 started the 2024 season strongly but gradually lost its edge as rivals McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes made significant strides in performance. While Verstappen managed to secure the drivers’ title, Red Bull slipped from first to third in the constructors’ championship.
Waché believes that McLaren and Ferrari will likely lead the charge at the start of the 2025 season, with Mercedes also expected to be in the mix. “I think it will be tight,” he said when discussing the expected pecking order. “At the moment, it doesn’t look like we are quick enough, but after we will see. It looks like McLaren and Ferrari are quicker.”
The Melbourne Lookout
As the teams are now preparing for the Australian Grand Prix season opener, Red Bull seems to be in for a hard fight to regain competitiveness. According to Waché, the team is candidly admitting that it has shortcomings and is working hard to catch up with its competitors.
The Uncertain Season
The pre-season troubles of Red Bull have set the stage for a razor-sharp 2025 F1 season. With McLaren and Ferrari appearing strong while the Mercedes hang in the background, the battle for supremacy promises to be sizzling. For Red Bull, the focus is upon overcoming its woes to bounce back to fighting form.
