Red Bull Content Pool

F1 News

Red Bull makes drastic change to RB20 for Spa: rear wing

Red Bull makes drastic change to RB20 for Spa: This has been adjusted

27 July at 11:29
  • Ludo van Denderen

Even beyond the time originally allowed, Red Bull Racing mechanics continued working on Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez's cars last night. What was tinkered with became clear on Saturday morning as the garage doors were opened. GPblog learned that the higher downforce rear wings were chosen compared to a day earlier.

During the opening day at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, it became clear that the McLaren team was on the road with more downforce than Red Bull Racing. Perhaps that explained the two-tenths difference between Verstappen and fastest man Lando Norris. In any case, the Austrian team decided to make a major adjustment to the rear wings before Saturday.

Verstappen asked about the effect of rear wings at Spa

During the media day on Thursday, Verstappen had still been asked if the rear wing could be a decisive factor at Spa. At the time, the Dutchman said, "I don’t know. I haven't even looked into the rear wing of the others. You always go off from your own findings, the simulator and stuff and previous years. Time will tell I guess. We have to go out there. See what the balance limitations are which I don't know at the moment and then we'll work from there," Verstappen said.

Friday undoubtedly gave Red Bull new insights, and so a change has been made. During FP3, the Austrians want to see to what extent this will have an effect, but it seems that this session will be finished in wet conditions. Assessing full potential is then difficult.

This article was written in collaboration with Sophia Crothall.