Will Red Bull emerge as the top contender in 2025? Pierre Waché, Technical Director at the Austrian racing stable, is not so sure. While Max Verstappen’s team will undoubtedly be well-prepared, it remains uncertain whether the RB21 can outperform rivals McLaren and Ferrari. As we approach the final season under the current regulations, the differences between the teams are becoming increasingly narrow.
As Max Verstappen celebrated his fourth Formula 1 world title, Pierre Waché was asked about the prospects for the upcoming season. The big question is whether the Dutchman can make another bid for the title in 2025. Waché is pleased with the performance of the RB20, but is cautious about its successor. “I have little confidence in 2025,” he told Autosport. “I assume that the other teams will also be very fast. It’s going to be another fierce battle.”
Lack of Optimism
Waché justified his caution by stating that a pessimistic outlook actually motivates the team. If Red Bull wants to win next year, it will have to get everything out of the RB21, he predicts. “Too much confidence can be your downfall in this sport,” the Frenchman explained. “You have to work extremely hard to achieve your goals. If you think you’re in a good position beforehand, you’re no longer motivated to find extra performance.
Red Bull’s Unexpected Dominance and Future Goals
Did Red Bull’s dominance in 2023 not instill confidence in the team? “Honestly, we did not expect to be so much better than the rest,” Waché admitted. “I can’t fully explain it. It’s not that we did everything perfectly; I think the rest just underperformed at certain times.” According to Waché, the same was true for 2024. “For example, McLaren only really got going halfway through the season. There’s nothing we can do about that.”
Looking Ahead to 2025
Finally, Waché revealed the team’s objectives for 2025. “We want a versatile car that performs well on different types of circuits,” said the technician. “That means we need to improve in slow corners and on straight stretches.”
Learning from Past Mistakes
Did the team also learn from the rear wing debacle? Max Verstappen won his fourth title with a rear wing that had been worked on with a dremel. “That’s certainly something to think about,” Waché added. “We clearly made a mistake, but perhaps that also had to do with limitations in budget and time.”
