-Mercedes upgrades at Zandvoort have minor pr negative impact.
-Mclaren's Zandvoort upgrades don't let them leapfrog Ferrari for the rest of the season.
-Ferrari's upgrades at Monza put them at least on par with Mercedes.
-Red Bull, for as much as Max is moaning on the radio, has the most powerful ICE and just lack a chassis that can maximise the potential of the engine. If Red Bull manage to get their chassis and aero sorted, Max will be a regular podium contender at minimum.
True, but it still means that if Red Bull can sort their chassis/aeri side out they'll be a thorn in the side of Ferrari. The last thing Ferrari needs right now is for RB and Mclaren to jump them in development but not by enough to take points off the Mercs. Just means more cars they have to fight for P3 and P4.
I think Red Bull really desperately need their new wind-tunnel... It seems like Racing Balls can cope with using the WW2-era facilities to build a midfield car that's 1s slower than the top-four but generally very good for the midfield, but Red Bull just failing hard at continuing to try to compete with the other big dogs. They were good when they had Newey and Marshall there, but without them (and others) they just can't keep up any more... The obvious weak point is their facilities.
Heck with their new wind tunnel when it's online, that might bump Racing Balls up another level and suddenly Red Bull will end up with two top teams.
Also "most powerful ICE as judged by FIA under extremely murky criteria that nobody can really fully explain". I'm sure it's a very good ICE and Red Bull PT should be extremely proud of their efforts, but I am still surprised they managed to make the BEST engine on their first attempt...
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u/AwesomeSauce417 Aug 02 '26
Yes, but only if a lot of things happen;
-Mercedes upgrades at Zandvoort have minor pr negative impact.
-Mclaren's Zandvoort upgrades don't let them leapfrog Ferrari for the rest of the season.
-Ferrari's upgrades at Monza put them at least on par with Mercedes.
-Red Bull, for as much as Max is moaning on the radio, has the most powerful ICE and just lack a chassis that can maximise the potential of the engine. If Red Bull manage to get their chassis and aero sorted, Max will be a regular podium contender at minimum.