Source: Official Team Post via X
Red Bull's Aero Degradation Dilemma: Pierre Waché Sheds Light on RB22 Issues
Red Bull's technical director, Pierre Waché, discusses the complex aero degradation issues affecting Max Verstappen's RB22. The team is working on improvements, but the problem remains multifaceted.
Pierre Waché, Red Bull's technical director, has opened up about the aero degradation concerns that have plagued Max Verstappen's RB22 this season. According to Waché, the issue isn't as straightforward as just a drop in aero performance; it's a multifaceted problem that the team is diligently working to improve.
Verstappen first noticed something amiss with the car during the Hungarian Grand Prix, where he felt a persistent loss of aero performance. The sensation was as if the car was gradually becoming more difficult to handle as the session progressed. Similar complaints arose during the Italian Grand Prix, where Verstappen remarked that the car felt as fragile as if it were "made of paper." These issues have forced him to adjust his driving style, particularly in how he approaches corners and navigates kerbs.
Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies acknowledged the problem, noting that data supports Verstappen's complaints. However, he's been tight-lipped about the exact causes, describing it only as an element of performance degradation that occurs over the course of a session or race.
In a recent interview, Waché explained that what Verstappen refers to as 'aero degradation' is actually a combination of several factors. "Aero doesn’t degrade by itself," Waché stated. Instead, he pointed to component wear and grounding as culprits. "We have mechanical grip degradation, which is linked to mechanical or suspension wear that we haven’t fully mastered yet," he added.
The challenge is that any weak point in the ride or mechanical elements becomes more apparent over time, especially as the car's performance naturally declines with use. "If you're close to the edge, you'll feel it," Waché explained.
Despite the difficulties, Red Bull is gradually addressing these issues. The RB22's performance has improved with each upgrade package, a departure from previous seasons where new parts sometimes introduced uncertainty. Looking ahead, the team hopes next year's RB23 will make significant strides in overcoming these challenges.
Waché also touched upon the shift back to conventional aero regulations, suggesting that the change has introduced new complexities. "It's not just about ground effect or not; it's about how the overall package is affected," he said, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to car setup and performance.
Ultimately, Waché stressed the importance of collaboration across the team to make these adjustments. "It's difficult," he admitted, but the team is committed to pushing in the right direction to ensure that they understand and optimize the car's performance.