Max Verstappen has been warned he may be unable to replicate the success of this season next year. Red Bull’s chief engineer Paul Monaghan has stressed the team may not be able to continue its dominance with new rules changes and less development time.
The FIA is introducing changes to the cars to combat porpoising issues seen with many of the teams this season. If Red Bull secures both championships they will also have the least amount of wind tunnel time to sort out their new package.
He explained: “Next year we have some rule changes and we have less resources than our rivals in terms of aerodynamics or hours of wind tunnel and CFD use because of our results in the Constructors’ Championship. I could counter-argue that we have the best people in our factory, but that’s perhaps a bit of an egocentric view.
“So, I’m not sure that this year’s performance can be carried over to 2023, I can’t say that the home straight of this season will be beneficial for us next year.” Verstappen has won 11 races this season and only finished off the podium in one Grand Prix when he reached the checked flag.
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Monaghan stresses this could make it difficult for the team to stay ahead of the chasing pack.
He added: “We have to move at least at the pace of our rivals. We have to manage the rule changes for floor edge height well, as well as the change in stiffness, trying to lose less than our rivals or at least the same amount. Obviously I think we will still be competitive next year. But if the question is whether we can repeat what we’re doing right now, I’m not sure.”
