RB19 was almost invincible during 2023, with the exception of one track type

Max Verstappen has confirmed the focus area for Red Bull to improve on as it aims to improve on its remarkable 2023 season. 

Max Verstappen in Parc Ferme after securing the 2023 championship in Qatar (Image Credit: Red Bull Content Pool/ Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

The all-conquering Red Bull RB19 crushed all opposition in 2023. A fearsome package, it dominated from the first race in Bahrain to the finale in Abu Dhabi. Max Verstappen’s 19 race victories in a 22-race season became one of the many records broken this season. Statistically, the RB19 is now F1’s most successful car.

The relentless pace of the RB19 cannot be attributed to just one element of its design. Elements such as the car’s unique and powerful DRS and aerodynamic philosophy created a car that dominated at all circuits.  Well balanced and suited to the driving style of Max Verstappen, this combination became almost untouchable.

But at one race, the perfect run of Red Bull wins came to an abrupt end.  The RB19 struggled for pace around the streets of Singapore, allowing Carlos Sainz to claim his and Ferrari’s sole victory of the season. It was also the only non Red Bull win of 2023.

However, the RB19 had shown weakness at previous street circuits prior to Singapore. Charles Leclerc took pole position in Baku and Las Vegas. Red Bull struck back in the races, winning both races.

A weakness revealed?

Speaking to motorsport.com, Verstappen said that the RB19’s development had been hit by reduced development time as a result of breaching the 2021 cost cap, stating “it helps if we know what direction we are working in”. He also called the impact “not ideal”.

When asked where the weaknesses are in the all-conquering RB19, Verstappen revealed that street circuits remain a concern, matching what was seen on track:

“Mainly I think just street circuits and low-speed, kerbing. These kind of things, I think we are not the best at the moment.”

Red Bull Technical Director Pierre Wache agreed with Verstappen. He highlighted challenges in Baku and Singapore:  “Low-speed is clearly [one area]. 90-degree corners we are not the best, as you could see in quali in Baku and a different track. Singapore also was not a fantastic one.”

“And also, our capacity to ride the kerbs and the bumpy tracks is also not perfect and we have to improve this area. In our system and business, you never have anything for free.”

“You can improve the overall potential of something, but most of the time it’s also affecting some other aspect of the car. [So], we have to be very careful not to destroy what we built in terms of strengths.”

“It’s what we are trying to do – improve our weaknesses without compromising too much the strengths we have.”