Max Verstappen and Red Bull's first win of the F1 season was no fluke. Technical expert Paolo Filisetti explains that the RB22 proved to be an extremely competitive car around the Sepang International Circuit, heavily assisted by a series of recent and highly effective technical upgrades introduced by the team.
The latest development involved revisions to the upper profile of the sidepods and, most significantly, the undercut, allowing Red Bull to introduce a different aerodynamic map for the RB22 from the Spanish Grand Prix onwards. The car is now much more precise and responsive, with Isack Hadjar providing further evidence of the progress made by the squad.
It is worth remembering that, for much of the season, Max Verstappen had complained about the unpredictable behaviour of his car through the middle of corners, often experiencing rear-end snaps. These sudden reactions prevented him from having complete confidence in the RB22 and, consequently, from extracting its maximum potential on race weekends.
Sepang's layout featuring two long straights linked by the final hairpin, followed by a sequence of medium- and high-speed corners, provided an ideal opportunity to showcase the gains made. The RB22 also benefited from the powerful internal-combustion engine and excellent energy-management capabilities, although demands on the power unit ultimately proved less severe than anticipated.
Verstappen also held the advantage of being one of only three drivers to have previously won at Sepang. That prior experience, combined with his ability to interpret the circuit in light of modern F1 machinery demands, proved invaluable over a single qualifying lap and during the complex management of a damp track.
Now, with Singapore next on the calendar, the Marina Bay Street Circuit represents another important litmus test. The vastly different characteristics of the street track will reveal just how far Red Bull's development programme at Milton Keynes has transformed the RB22 into a genuinely all-round package.
Read Also
Andrea Stella akui McLaren salah arahkan strategi ban Lando Norris di awal balapan Bahrain Grand Prix, bikin kehilangan poin penting.
Flavio Briatore menilai tekanan yang dihadapi prinsipal Ferrari Fred Vasseur jauh lebih kejam dan berat dibanding rival F1 lainnya.
Laurent Mekies memperingatkan kompleksitas F1 agar tidak lepas kendali usai kekacauan perangkat lunak di GP Sepang.
Continue with Google
Discussion (0)
Join the Discussion!
Sign in easily to start commenting, replying, and interacting with other readers.
Latest Comments
No comments yet. Be the first!