Electric Cars

The 2025 Formula 1 season has sparked an intriguing hypothetical: what if Max Verstappen were competing with Racing Bulls instead of Red Bull Racing? This question, often raised by motorsport pundits, delves into the performance differences and underlying philosophies of the two Red Bull-owned teams. While some experts suggest Racing Bulls' vehicle might offer a broader operating window, the official stance from Red Bull emphasizes the fundamental differences in car design, making direct performance comparisons based on driver swaps impractical.

Ralf Schumacher, a well-known Sky analyst, posited that Max Verstappen could potentially contend for the championship even in a Racing Bulls car. His argument centers on the Racing Bulls' car possessing a wider operational scope, implying it could perform consistently across diverse circuits. Schumacher further suggested that if Verstappen were part of Racing Bulls, his extensive experience could significantly influence the car's technical evolution, leading to a different development trajectory.

Supporting this theory, current data indicates that Liam Lawson has accumulated more points for Racing Bulls than Yuki Tsunoda for Red Bull Racing, highlighting the perceived ease of use or broader performance window of the junior team's car. However, Red Bull has refrained from testing Verstappen in the VCARB 02, primarily to avoid undermining the perception of independence between their two Formula 1 entities, an aspect closely scrutinized by competitors.

David Coulthard expressed skepticism about the need for a Verstappen test, noting that teams already possess ample data to compare car performance. He believes that while Verstappen's input could offer unique insights, his exceptional driving ability would likely enable him to extract maximum performance from any car, regardless of its characteristics. Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the distinct origins and development paths of the two cars preclude any direct transferability of performance insights.

Despite the official position, the narrative persists that the Racing Bulls car is more forgiving to drive compared to Red Bull's RB21. While the RB21 might offer superior peak performance, its narrower operating window demands a highly specialized driving style, which only a few, like Verstappen, seem capable of mastering consistently. Alan Permane, Mekies' successor at Racing Bulls, clarifies that the VCARB 02's perceived ease of driving stems from its design allowing engineers to easily optimize its aerodynamic window, rather than it being inherently "rookie-friendly." He asserts that top-tier drivers would also find it comfortable and capable of delivering strong results.

The idea of Max Verstappen piloting a Racing Bulls car remains a compelling, yet unrealized, scenario. Even if such a test could provide valuable comparative data, the imperative to maintain the appearance of independent operations for regulatory purposes prevents it. This contrasts sharply with past eras in Formula 1, such as Michael Schumacher's test with Sauber in 1997, when team independence was not the critical concern it is in contemporary motorsport.

Ducati rider Francesco Bagnaia has expressed confidence following a significant adjustment to his MotoGP motorcycle, which he believes has finally addressed the season-long challenges he has faced. Despite a less-than-stellar performance at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where he failed to score points in the sprint and finished ninth in the main race, Bagnaia observed marked improvements in crucial areas such as braking and corner entry. This development offers a fresh perspective on his performance trajectory and the team's ongoing efforts to optimize his bike's configuration.

The modifications made to Bagnaia's bike at the Hungarian Grand Prix were substantial, a measure of last resort initiated by Ducati after the rider's disappointing qualification. While the immediate race results did not fully reflect the impact of these changes, Bagnaia personally experienced a notable difference. He highlighted that the bike's responsiveness during braking and cornering had significantly improved, aspects that had previously hindered his performance and ability to maintain pace with competitors.

Prior to these adjustments, Bagnaia frequently struggled when riding in close proximity to other racers, particularly with managing the slipstream's effect on braking. This technical hurdle often prevented him from effectively engaging in overtakes or defending his position. However, with the newly implemented setup, he found himself better equipped to handle these scenarios, even engaging in a tight battle with Pol Espargaro's KTM at the Hungarian event. Bagnaia emphasized that these radical changes, though seemingly minor in measurement, constituted a 'correct way to change something,' enabling him to ride 'his bike' once again.

The decision to undertake such a drastic alteration was reportedly driven by the team, specifically by crew chief Christian Gabarrini, after Bagnaia's mounting frustration regarding his performance deficits. This bold move, moving away from incremental adjustments, proved to be beneficial. Bagnaia had previously felt competitive only when riding in isolation, struggling significantly once in race conditions. The recent adjustments have seemingly transformed his capacity to race effectively within the pack, offering genuine hope for a stronger second half of the season.

This pivotal moment represents a potential fresh start for Bagnaia, as he can now more effectively manage challenging race conditions, especially when trailing other riders. The team's willingness to make profound changes, spurred by the rider's pressing need for solutions, has unlocked a new level of performance and confidence, signaling a promising shift in his championship campaign.