A filmmaker with a soft spot for Ronnie Peterson, Gilles Villeneuve, Mika Hakkinen and above all, Tazio Nuvolari and Ayrton Senna, is also a diehard Formula One fan since the age of 4 (mid-90's). An avid researcher of the past of Grand Prix Racing since before it was even named F1, and with a thirst for knowledge of the ins and outs of the actuality of the sport, as well as for the technical aspects that define it, is a member of GPblog since 2023, where he has put his love of racing to good use.
As of the Spanish Grand Prix front wing deflection upon aerodynamic load will be mitigated, or so the FIA hope their revised TD018 will do. For Max Verstappen this change doesn't represent a major setback for Red Bull Racing.
It was in the early part of the 2023 season when Rob Marshall's departure from Red Bull Racing was announced. The reported flexi-wing guru, can be found donning on papaya coloured outfit as he has since 2024.
"I mean for us [Red Bull Racing] not (the TD will not have a heavy impact, ed.)," said Verstappen to media like GPblog in Barcelona.
Did Marshall's departure hindered the Austrian team's ability to extract the full potential of the front -wing flexing loophole when it was up for grabs? A question for the ages. Whatever the case may be, Red Bull never really got that much out of the flexible wings, says the Dutchman.
"I can say that with quite a lot of confidence because I think those wings, they never really gave us a massive performance gain. I don't know if we got it wrong or didn't extract the most out of it."
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"But even for the other teams I'm sure it's all manageable. If you have a good car, you have a good car, the front wing bends a bit less, I think you can tune it around it."
In short, Verstappen doesn't think that the TD for Spain will wreak much havoc in the pecking order as it has been hoped or suggested.
Max Verstappen driving the RB21 at the Miami Grand Prix
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McLaren driver Oscar Piastri has tipped Verstappen as an absolute contender for the win at the Spanish Grand Prix. The Australian believes Red Bull Racing and the reigning F1 champion have proven to be quick a higher speed layouts.
Verstappen's wins in Japan and Imola, and him being a threat to Piastri at Saudi Arabia make the Aussie's case. However, is that to pan out the same way in Barcelona remains to be seen.
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