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Newey answers: Did the RB20 become worse since he left?
Red Bull Racing are going through a tough period on and off the track. While leading figures are leaving the team, the RB20 is now not even close to dominate like the RB19 did a year before in F1. Many point to Adrian Newey's departure as a reason for the lack of success, but now, the designer answered in the Autocar podcast whether that is the case.
Red Bull Racing were the team to beat in the last two years, and in 2023, all but one Grand Prix was won by a car that was not driven by Max Verstappen or Sergio Perez. However, in 2024, the Austrians lead have disappeared, with McLaren, Ferrari and also Mercedes improving considerably. Perez is yet to win a race in the current season, while Verstappen is winless since the Spanish GP in June.
Coincidentally, Adrian Newey's departure was announced of the Miami Grand Prix, since which weekend the Austrians began to struggle more, even as Verstappen did manage to win afterwards. By the time of the Italian GP, Verstappen finished the race in P6, while Perez crossed the finish line in P8.
Newey answers
"Well I have heard it, I have to be honest I don't really read the press for kind of personal reason going back to my Leyton House days," the Briton began to explain his thoughts on the matter. "But the reality is I can't comment, I really can't comment, because once I'm out, I'm out."
He added: "I haven't been able to contribute to the development of the current things since April. But why the team has been less competitive recently I don't know because I'm not involved."
Entering the final eight Grands Prix of the year, Max Verstappen has a 62-point lead over Lando Norris in the drivers' standings. In terms of the constructors', Red Bull only lead McLaren by 8 points, and Ferrari are also in the mix in P3 with a 39-point gap behind the Austrians.
Co-Author: Corwin Kunst
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16 September 2024
