Red Bull looks for answers according to Marko: ‘Make RB21 easier to drive’

With Yuki Tsunoda ready to make his Red Bull Racing debut at his home race, the Japanese Grand Prix, Helmut Marko outlines an essential target to help Max Verstappen’s new teammate get off to a good start at the Austrian team.

Since the 2024 Miami Grand Prix, the Red Bull car has become notoriously difficult to drive, dragging on behavioural issues from the latter part of its dominant 2023 campaign. The situation has become so dire that the Milton Keynes-based outfit has been forced to say goodbye to two drivers, Sergio Perez and Liam Lawson in the space of a little over 3 months.

Liam Lawson, F1 driver recently demoted from Red Bull to make way for Yuki Tsunoda.

Yuki Tsunoda, having completed a successful winter testing according to the team’s top brass and having surprised them during the few simulator sessions he has gotten to become familiarised with the RB21, as well as with the technical input he’s provided following each session, will now face the tough reality both of his predecessors found insurmountable: driving the difficult car on track, in season, with all the pressure that comes with it.

Red Bull will find easier setup for RB21 with Tsunoda

The Austrian team’s chief advisor, Helmut Marko, has now revealed the team is planning to take a different approach to make sure Tsunoda has every chance to succeed in his time at Red Bull Racing.

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"We have already thought about setting up the second car differently, with a less aggressive set-up," the 81 year-old said to Motorsport.com. "Something that makes it easier to deal with."

Whether it will be an effective setup that guarantees a more docile drive and maintains the speed inherent to the RB21, or otherwise, is something we will have to wait a few more days to see when the Japanese Grand Prix gets underway.