Sport

Revolution at the Saudi GP: Red Bull's Game-Changing RB21 Updates Revealed!

2025-04-20

Author: Chun

Max Verstappen has once again proven his mettle, clinching pole position at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The Dutch ace squeezed every ounce of performance from his RB21 on the challenging Jeddah street circuit—a track notorious for its razor-thin margins.

Red Bull has been hard at work fine-tuning their car to handle this demanding layout, where every tiny adjustment can make the difference between glory and disaster. While major updates are slated for the RB21's debut at Imola, a handful of strategic enhancements arrived in Saudi Arabia to tackle the steep challenges of the street circuit.

To cope with the sweltering temperatures that race teams face in the desert, Red Bull introduced an enlarged rear cooling outlet, demonstrated in pre-race images. This new design goes hand-in-hand with an extreme louvred cooling panel on the engine cover, previously seen in Bahrain. These updates aim to maintain optimal temperatures for the power unit and its supporting elements.

Moreover, a redesigned single-element beam wing has been implemented, showcasing a more refined design. With less chord and reduced camber compared to their previous models, this modification may appear counterintuitive, especially when rivals are opting for lower downforce solutions to navigate Jeddah’s demands.

However, Red Bull had an ace up their sleeve—a clever tweak made directly on-site. The upper tip section of the RB21 was meticulously trimmed on both cars, allowing the team to assess its impact on performance and balance without the need for new parts. This strategic move is designed to enhance aerodynamics, leading to a manageable reduction in downforce and drag, ultimately optimizing the car’s performance.

But that’s not all! The team's pursuit of excellence also led them to innovate a unique camera pod arrangement during the Free Practice sessions. Strategically positioned on either side of the airbox, these pods house high-speed cameras to monitor front tire deformation and infrared cameras to track tire temperature fluctuations throughout laps. This cutting-edge approach underscores Red Bull's commitment to pushing the boundaries of technological advancement in Formula 1.

Stay tuned for more thrilling updates from the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix!