Red Bull concede to added consequence of 'sensitive' car concern

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has stated the Red Bull RB22 challenger is sensitive to minor factors, leaving it difficult for its drivers to manage.

The Milton Keynes-based squad has endured a challenging campaign thus far at the start of the sport's new era under fresh technical regulations.

It is the only team inside the top four to not win a race during the opening half of the year, despite the FIA ruling that its combustion engine is the strongest in the field through the ADUO (Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunitues) system.

Its main limitation has come from the chassis itself, which has been the source of complaints from its drivers in the opening 11 rounds.

“Our car has been very sensitive to a number of small factors since race one, and we have suffered a lot in the first part of the season as well,” Mekies told media including RacingNews365.

“It’s enough that, if you pick up a bit of damage, let it be on gravel, on the kerbs, you get a different wind direction, and everything is a little bit on the edge in terms of performance.”

Max Verstappen has bagged four podiums this year but the car has largely been unable to consitentely compete at the front of the grid.

Mekies added that Red Bull is being further limited by the issues taking away driver confidence, causing it to lose even more performance.

“Not only do you probably pay a price for lap time, but it also removes the driver’s confidence,” Mekies said.

“It’s not a new topic, but it’s something where probably we have more potential to extract.”