Despite Perez's arrival, Red Bull has old problem: 'Verstappen is alone'

It was a confirmation of what many had already expected. Max Verstappen managing to get pole position in the opening race of the 2021 season. The Dutchman was ultimately almost four tenths faster than Lewis Hamilton, indicating that Red Bull Racing has made a clear leap and can really challenge Mercedes this year. At Auto, Motor und Sport that assumption has now been confirmed too.

"Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas have their hands full while driving. A loose rear end occurred several times. The RB16B is a car that is running on rails compared to Mercedes. It doesn't matter if it's day or night, Red Bull has advantages," explained the German medium after qualifying.

Red Bull fast in all conditions

AMuS expects Red Bull to have benefited from continued development in 2020. While Mercedes used the wind tunnel to work out developments for this season, Red Bull did so on the track. "Red Bull has and wanted to build a predictable car. In all conditions, the driver no longer has to balance on the limit."

Qualifying data has shown Red Bull to be a little bit faster than Hamilton's Mercedes at all sections of the track. "Especially in corners nine and ten, where the circuit goes left and down. That is the most difficult corner in the circuit. Red Bull has the fastest car in the corners". Yet Perez failed to get everything out of his car, as he crashed out in Q2.

"One thing hasn't changed from last year. Verstappen will have to fight alone against the two Mercedes drivers. That will give a disadvantage in strategy, but Red Bull will be fast enough to stay ahead. Especially with the prospect of a sandstorm, we know Red Bull is strong in all conditions. For Verstappen, it will be especially important to still be first after the first lap, to control the race.