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Critical McLaren Tests Revealed to Explain Key Advantage
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Highlights
- Red Bull targets Austria and Britain to test RB21 race pace.
- McLaren holds advantage with superior tyre and brake temperature control.
- Verstappen ranks third with 155 points; Piastri leads drivers’ standings.
- Warm weather in Austria may reveal Red Bull’s tyre management progress.
- McLaren leads constructors’ standings with 374 points from Norris and Piastri.
- Upcoming rounds crucial for RB21’s long-run pace improvements and strategy.
Monaghan discussed that Japan was a test of tyre management due to the constant high-speed action, similar to what teams face at Silverstone. While Red Bull did not match McLaren’s long run pace in every round, Monaghan noted that conditions in Canada were different, with shorter, slower corners and a focus on acceleration over sustained cornering forces.
Each track offers unique challenges, and Red Bull used those races to gather data on how the RB21 performs under varying demands. With the F1 calendar moving to Spielberg for the Austrian Grand Prix and then Silverstone for the British round, Red Bull will use both events to analyze if their gains in outright performance translate into improved long-run pace.
Monaghan said the warm weather expected in Austria could help reveal whether Red Bull has closed the gap to McLaren or if the difference remains unchanged during long stints.
The Sunday races at both tracks will be the ultimate test, showing whether the recent updates provide consistent improvement.
McLaren leads the constructors’ standings with 374 points gathered by Norris and Piastri, setting the example for other teams. Red Bull follows with fewer points, while Mercedes and Ferrari remain in the hunt for podiums.
Verstappen currently ranks third in the drivers’ standings with 155 points behind Piastri’s 198 and Norris’s 176. The precise performance difference between the RB21 and the MCL39 over a race distance continues to be the central question as the season enters this crucial phase.
Both teams are expected to make adjustments ahead of the upcoming rounds.
With each race providing new conditions and potential for strategies, the battle between Red Bull and McLaren is set to continue as one of the main stories of the 2025 season.
Fans and teams alike will be watching closely to see if Red Bull’s efforts are enough to challenge McLaren’s recent advantage. The next races in Austria and Britain will help shape the season, offering more insight into how the top teams manage their cars in the ongoing fight for the championship.
The evolving strategies and adaptations made by teams can be compared to developments seen in other key races, such as the Spanish GP flexi wing updates, which have influenced car performance and race dynamics.
John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.
* The featured image is not a real photograph — it was created using AI.
