SUMMARY
- Several teams seek emulating the characterestics of RB-19 in their forthcoming 2024 challengers
- Red Bull's technical director challenges rivals to copy the RB-19
It is no secret nor a joke what Red Bull has achieved this season by simply designing and producing the dominating RB19, but as the 2024 season approaches, all the teams have been eyeing the making of the Red Bull rocketship. Nonetheless, Red Bull’s technical director is not as worried about the rivals.
The championship-winning team did not hesitate to make the Formula 1 2023 season their own after winning their third consecutive championship. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen won 19 races and broke 16 records in a single season, having one of the most successful careers in F1. However, his achievements were overlooked multiple times with many reasoning that the RB19 made it possible.
Nonetheless, the rocket ship or not, the rest of the grid did not hesitate to copy the design and idea behind the RB19 to gain an advantage in the standings. While it worked out well for McLaren who caught up to speed in no time, they still weren’t lucky enough to beat their engine partners, Mercedes.
Red Bull pities their rivals with the upcoming 2024 season
Red Bull came from years of watching their arch-nemesis Lewis Hamilton and Co. ruling the F1 arena. However, it was only a matter of time before the team got their ultimate breakthrough, although controversially, giving Red Bull a chance at glory and soon they took over the sport by storm.
There is no doubt that the team has a driver like Max Verstappen who has earned names like the “Dutch Lion” and “Super Max” and has been compared to the likes of Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, and Sebastian Vettel. Nonetheless, the team also consists of geniuses like Adrian Newey who designed the perfect rocketship for the perfect driver on the grid.
🗣️ | Pierre Wache on rivals copying RB19
“You can’t just copy for the sake of copying. That doesn’t work.”
“You have to have the knowledge and also have a bigger goal in mind where you ultimately want to go with the car’s characteristics.
If what you copy does not fit the… pic.twitter.com/T1r19waDNG
— RBR News 🇳🇱🇲🇽 (@redbulletin) January 12, 2024
But with 2024 pressuring every team to bring their A-game and develop a better car to challenge the throne sitters, the Red Bull technical director believes the rest of the grid isn’t even close to achieving what the Austrian team has.
He said, “You can’t just copy for the sake of copying. That doesn’t work. You have to have the knowledge and also have a bigger goal in mind where you ultimately want to go with the car’s characteristics. If what you copy does not fit the overall picture, then it will get you nowhere.”
While it may not be impossible, it is believed to be a long road for the teams to catch onto Red Bull and the genius minds that have pulled the most successful season in the history of Formula 1.
Max Verstappen feels the same pressure even after 3 WDCs
The three-time champion, Verstappen, has achieved a lot more in recent years than drivers who have thrived before him. Although he may be far behind compared to his arch-nemesis, his run this season was one for the books. Nonetheless, all his achievements this season and his three championship victories have not helped ease the pressure.
🗣️ | Max on pressure to perform is still the same even after winning WDC
“To be honest, I was always the same in it. I demand from myself by default that I do well and get the most out of a race weekend. If only so that I can’t blame myself afterwards. It’s not that I’m afraid… pic.twitter.com/Ov1JU6yhOT
— RBR News 🇳🇱🇲🇽 (@redbulletin) January 13, 2024
He confessed about the pressure of doing better saying, “To be honest, I was always the same in it. I demand from myself by default that I do well and get the most out of a race weekend. If only so that I can’t blame myself afterward. It’s not that I’m afraid of failing and I can turn things off pretty quickly.”
Rather than blaming himself for his mistakes, the Dutchman has been more attentive to correcting his faults. Although the pressure builds up on every driver to perform well, Verstappen has found ways to keep him centered thanks to his love for the sport.
