The team from Milton Keynes fought a close battle with Mercedes for the drivers ‘and constructors’ championship crowns until the last race of this year – with the honors being divided between the two teams.
But while Red Bull and Mercedes were kept busy until the end, other teams like Ferrari completely switched their resources much earlier to work on their 2022 challengers.
And that lead, with the new rules still in their infancy, could open the door for teams that left early to enjoy an advantage right from the start.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner is optimistic that his squad has struck the right balance between work in 2021 and 2022 – but is also aware that a final judgment on whether his prospects have been hurt will not come until the first race next year can be felled.
“When Ferrari shows up with the fastest car and knocks us out of the park in the first race, then you have to say that it probably was [compromise us],” he said.
“But I think we all know that there are big regulatory changes coming up in 2022, and we have invested our resources accordingly.
“I’m sure each team did what it thought was right, and of course that put pressure on the organization. But here, in my opinion, the team was outstanding, because the development of new regulations and the focus on this year’s car were enormous. The engagement of the whole team in the whole team was phenomenal.
“We won’t see that until we come back in a few months with completely new cars. They look different, they will feel different, they will drive differently – and who got it right, who got it wrong? Everything starts all over again. “
George Russell, Mercedes W10 Mule
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff expected that in addition to competitors who benefit from an early development focus, the weighted aero handicap system – which allows more wind tunnel and CFD work for the teams below – could confuse things further.
“We are all working under the same financial ceiling and the concepts are very new,” he said.
“What was then introduced is the aerodynamic regulations, which gave teams a little more leeway based on their placement in the championship.
“So it is entirely possible that teams that have not competed for the World Championship this year, whether Ferrari, McLaren or Aston Martin or Alpine, will be able to develop the intelligent concepts that are based on many more runs than all of them others and just do it. ”it very right.
“I think we have to expect much closer championships and races than before and that is exciting.”
