Red Bull facing pivotal races in bid to understand RB20

Red Bull believes the upcoming range of F1 circuits will deliver a better picture over the true performance of its RB20 car. 

After starting the season with seven wins from the first 10 races, Red Bull failed to win any of the four immediately prior to the summer break, scoring only one podium. 

It leads the constructors’ championship by 42 points from McLaren with Max Verstappen 78 clear of Lando Norris in the drivers’, with 284 left up for grabs in the latter across the final 10 weekends.

The next four races take place at four circuits which demand vastly different aerodynamic packages to maximise performance, with engineering chief Paul Monaghan believing the information gathered will be key. 

“We know how to set our car up [in Belgium], and we always arrive with a level of confidence, there are some doubts about: ‘if we get this, what should we do?'” he told select media including RacingNews365.

“But we will see in the coming races when the downforce levels change at Zandvoort, Monza, Singapore and Azerbaijan if our car can maintain this pace in the various configurations we can run – and then we will know.”

Red Bull drivers

Monaghan also cautiously gave Liam Lawson backing if he was called upon to race the RB20, but felt that any driver in the Red Bull stable would be able to step up. 

“I think any of our drivers could step in,” he said.

“[Liam] could, as could Yuki [Tsunoda], as could Daniel [Ricciardo], as could Checo, they are all capable of driving the car.

“But it is a question for Christian [Horner] and Helmut [Marko].

“Without wishing to be dismissive of your question, I think it is one better posed to Checo himself if you are going to ask what’s changed for him.

“In terms of the car, if this aero level suits him a little bit better relative to the opposition, then it is easier for him to be quicker in the field.”