In a revelation that has rocked the Formula 1 world, renowned engineer and former Red Bull Racing technical director Adrian Newey has revealed shocking details about the team’s internal decisions that significantly impacted its drivers’ performance in the 2024 season. According to Newey, the design of the RB20 car was geared solely to favour Max Verstappen’s driving style, leaving Sergio “Checo” Pérez in a disadvantageous position and without the necessary support to adapt to the car.

Since his departure from Red Bull in May 2024, Newey has been outspoken about the challenges the team faced. In an interview with Auto Motor und Sport, he noted that the RB20 became a difficult car to drive due to the modifications implemented for that season. These alterations, rather than improving overall performance, made the car difficult to drive, affecting both Perez and, eventually, Verstappen himself.

The inexperience of the engineers and designers who took over responsibilities after Newey’s departure was a major factor in these problems. The technical team apparently failed to address early warnings about the direction of the RB20’s development, resulting in a car that was ill-suited to Perez’s driving style. Despite the warning signs, Red Bull continued along the same development path, without considering the difficulties faced by its second driver.

This situation led to a noticeable decline in Pérez’s performance during the 2024 season. The Mexican driver, who had shown solid performances in previous seasons, found himself struggling with a car that did not give him the confidence needed to compete at the highest level. The technical difficulties and the lack of adaptability of the RB20 to his driving style were evident, and the team did not take effective measures to solve these problems.

Most worryingly, according to Newey, Red Bull was aware of these issues and chose not to intervene. The decision to prioritise Verstappen’s performance led to a strategy that neglected Perez’s needs, creating an internal dynamic that compromised the competitiveness of the team as a whole. This revelation highlights questionable management of human and technical resources within the team.

The departure of Newey and the subsequent addition of new engineers without the necessary experience to handle the complex challenges of Formula 1 exacerbated the situation. The RB20, which was initially expected to be an evolution of the successful RB19, ended up being a car that only Verstappen could handle with any effectiveness, leaving Perez in a vulnerable position and affecting his confidence and performance on the track.

These revelations have sparked intense debate about ethics and governance within Red Bull Racing. The decision to design a car that favours only one driver, ignoring the needs of the other, raises questions about fairness and the team’s long-term strategy. Furthermore, the lack of action to correct these issues, despite being aware of them, suggests an organisational culture that prioritises immediate results over the balanced and sustainable development of its drivers.

Perez’s situation is particularly worrying. As a talented and experienced driver, his ability to contribute to the team’s success was compromised by decisions that were beyond his control. The lack of support and the allocation of a car that did not suit his driving style not only affected his performance on track, but may also have had an impact on his morale and confidence as an elite competitor.

In retrospect, Red Bull Racing’s 2024 season serves as a lesson in the importance of balanced management and the need to consider the strengths and needs of all drivers in the development of a car. Newey’s departure and subsequent revelations highlight the consequences of failing to address internal concerns and foster an environment that values ​​collaboration and equitable development.

As Formula 1 moves forward, it will be crucial for teams like Red Bull to learn from these mistakes and adopt approaches that promote fairness and support for all drivers. Only through inclusive management and meticulous attention to the needs of each team member can they hope for sustainable success and maintain their reputation in the demanding world of elite racing.

In conclusion, Adrian Newey’s statements have shed light on worrying practices within Red Bull Racing that have negatively affected Sergio “Checo” Perez. These revelations underline the need for a re-evaluation of the team’s internal strategies to ensure that equal support is provided to all drivers and an environment of fair competition and mutual development is fostered.