2021 Red Bull Racing F1 Team

[ringo]

I hope so. That Max got the WDC lead here is a big surprise, Mercedes was way faster. Good job by both RBR drivers and good and fair defending also by Yuki.

Do you really think it was a big suprise given LH engine Penalty?

For me, the only way LH retains the lead is if something bad happened to Max in Turkey, and it didn't. What maybe should have happened was instead of 6 points, the gap would be 1 or 2 in Max's favour.

As for the car.. It's hard to tell if they have gotten weaker and Mercedes stronger. What is clear is the Ferrari and Mercedes engines are stronger at this stage than the Honda units. The setup on the RB16 is showing the same issue, understeer that Max does not like, but comes towards Perez.
It's anyone's guess what happens at COTA. If it's dry I think a podium for both can happen again. I do not know how well Bottas drives there.
The dark horse is Ferrari again, and maybe Mclaren.

[godlameroso]

Austin is more like Bahrain, if you were fast there you'll be fast in Austin. The corners are very similar, it's also generally in a higher speed range, right where the RB16B comes into its own. The next 3 tracks should favor RBR and the final 3 should favor Mercedes.

[Gillian]

It was just the nature of the track, the waterblasting and smooth surface benefitted Mercedes. There's no such luxury in Austin, Moto GP doesn't want to go back unless the track is resurfaced, and water blasting it won't eliminate the bumps nor is there enough time to repave the track even if they wanted to or could. Plus they can dial back the rear wing a bit in Austin which should give the team a better balance with the car.

I hope you are right for Red Bull and Verstappen. Big pace difference on display today.

[Gillian]

Austin is more like Bahrain, if you were fast there you'll be fast in Austin. The corners are very similar, it's also generally in a higher speed range, right where the RB16B comes into its own. The next 3 tracks should favor RBR and the final 3 should favor Mercedes.

I agree on that but don't forget to factor in what has happened since Bahrain... Upgrades and different tires.

[Gillian]

I hope so. That Max got the WDC lead here is a big surprise, Mercedes was way faster. Good job by both RBR drivers and good and fair defending also by Yuki.

Do you really think it was a big suprise given LH engine Penalty?

For me, the only way LH retains the lead is if something bad happened to Max in Turkey, and it didn't. What maybe should have happened was instead of 6 points, the gap would be 1 or 2 in Max's favour.

As for the car.. It's hard to tell if they have gotten weaker and Mercedes stronger. What is clear is the Ferrari and Mercedes engines are stronger at this stage than the Honda units. The setup on the RB16 is showing the same issue, understeer that Max does not like, but comes towards Perez.
It's anyone's guess what happens at COTA. If it's dry I think a podium for both can happen again. I do not know how well Bottas drives there.
The dark horse is Ferrari again, and maybe Mclaren.

This is not true. Perez complained about understeer and too much grip on the rear, just like Verstappen.

[Mr.S]

Austin is a Mercedes track, not as much as Monza or Sochi but atleast as much as Turkey. Mercedes will be 2-3 tenths ahead comfortably. Mercedes has always won in Austin except maybe when Ferrari had that illegal engine. Another issue is during Bahrain, Merc & RB were tied in race pace of sorts (Now Mercedes have a tenth or 2)..

The track requires good engine power & straightline speed. I don't see Max winning the WDC unless RB brings upgrades worth 2 tenths which is the gap to Mercedes. I also think people are over-estimating Brazil, RB will @ best be marginally ahead like Zandvoord & it will be a race where Mercedes will be competitive. Mexico on the other hand should be advantage Mercedes. Even if Max wins Mexico & Brazil (& loses USA), Saudi/Qatar should also uphold the 2 tenths advantage.

RB needs updates. There are 6 races to go !

[Nathanael F1]

In my opinion if Red Bull don’t bring a significant upgrade(s) it will be really tough to win the WDC. I think the WCC is probably already unrealistic. Mercedes are beginning to really look like the dominant force again.

If Azerbaijan, Great Britain, and Hungary hadn’t panned out the way they did Max would likely be in a comfy position.

[ringo]

Austin is a Mercedes track, not as much as Monza or Sochi but atleast as much as Turkey. Mercedes will be 2-3 tenths ahead comfortably. Mercedes has always won in Austin except maybe when Ferrari had that illegal engine. Another issue is during Bahrain, Merc & RB were tied in race pace of sorts (Now Mercedes have a tenth or 2)..

The track requires good engine power & straightline speed. I don't see Max winning the WDC unless RB brings upgrades worth 2 tenths which is the gap to Mercedes. I also think people are over-estimating Brazil, RB will @ best be marginally ahead like Zandvoord & it will be a race where Mercedes will be competitive. Mexico on the other hand should be advantage Mercedes. Even if Max wins Mexico & Brazil (& loses USA), Saudi/Qatar should also uphold the 2 tenths advantage.

RB needs updates. There are 6 races to go !

I think this very much your opinion, but I guess no reason to convince you otherwise. To you it's as if Mercedes are fast everywhere with no weaknesses.

[etusch]

superb defence from checo

[etusch]

[Wouter]

[zibby43]

RB will be stronger in COTA, back in the championship lead and the double podium eats into Mercedes constructor's lead, good race all things considered.

Mercedes extended their lead in the WCC today.

It was just the nature of the track, the waterblasting and smooth surface benefitted Mercedes.

The surface wasn’t smooth. It was smooth last year, and Merc couldn’t generate tire temp.

The water-blasting made the surface grippier and more abrasive.

[NL_Fer]

Austin is a Mercedes track, not as much as Monza or Sochi but atleast as much as Turkey. Mercedes will be 2-3 tenths ahead comfortably. Mercedes has always won in Austin except maybe when Ferrari had that illegal engine. Another issue is during Bahrain, Merc & RB were tied in race pace of sorts (Now Mercedes have a tenth or 2)..

The track requires good engine power & straightline speed. I don't see Max winning the WDC unless RB brings upgrades worth 2 tenths which is the gap to Mercedes. I also think people are over-estimating Brazil, RB will @ best be marginally ahead like Zandvoord & it will be a race where Mercedes will be competitive. Mexico on the other hand should be advantage Mercedes. Even if Max wins Mexico & Brazil (& loses USA), Saudi/Qatar should also uphold the 2 tenths advantage.

RB needs updates. There are 6 races to go !

It is to late for updates. The car is balanced, the setup is understandable. Any new aero parts will need some testmiles first and learn the team how to change the setup, to make it work.

Also no more power updates, as they are not adding new engines to the pool.

It is up to the drivers now.

[Big Tea]

I hope so. That Max got the WDC lead here is a big surprise, Mercedes was way faster. Good job by both RBR drivers and good and fair defending also by Yuki.

Do you really think it was a big suprise given LH engine Penalty?

For me, the only way LH retains the lead is if something bad happened to Max in Turkey, and it didn't. What maybe should have happened was instead of 6 points, the gap would be 1 or 2 in Max's favour.

As for the car.. It's hard to tell if they have gotten weaker and Mercedes stronger. What is clear is the Ferrari and Mercedes engines are stronger at this stage than the Honda units. The setup on the RB16 is showing the same issue, understeer that Max does not like, but comes towards Perez.
It's anyone's guess what happens at COTA. If it's dry I think a podium for both can happen again. I do not know how well Bottas drives there.
The dark horse is Ferrari again, and maybe Mclaren.

The thing here is that if Merc are faster or equal to RBR and Hamilton in front, Bottas should be in between Ham and Ves while the second RBR does not usually get there when Max wins.
I know this has not been working well, but we may see Bottas Mk48 after his win today.

TBH, the wet races add excitement, but I am getting fed up with them as we do not know where everyone is in reality

[wowgr8]

RB need/needed a season as short as the last to hope for the championship. Right now it looks bleak I'm afraid, Mercedes are annihilating Red Bull on the straights, Qatar and Abu Dhabi will be bloody among the rest. Also Perez is not dependable at all and I believe if Verstappen had a fast, consistent rear gunner he'd still have a good cushion in the drivers championship. Max has to win both Mexico and Brazil and have Perez come second, then also hope for some Mercedes screw up somewhere else to have a shot at the championship, IMO