Purple Bull’s new RB21 has launched in Bahrain because it appears to supply Max Verstappen with the equipment to win a fifth consecutive drivers’ championship.
Verstappen has gained all three of the drivers’ titles for the reason that floor impact automobiles have been launched in 2022, following on from his maiden championship in 2021. Purple Bull launched photos of the RB21 earlier than working it throughout a filming day on the Bahrain Worldwide Circuit, and says the brand new automobile is “an evolution of a era of Purple Bulls, which have dominated current seasons”.
Purple Bull stays secretive in regards to the particulars surrounding the brand new automobile, releasing restricted details about its technical specification because it appears to bounce again from a difficult second half of 2024. Having gained seven of the primary ten races, Verstappen would go ten occasions with no victory because the automobile turned more and more troublesome to drive, however two wins within the ultimate 4 races confirmed indicators of restoration.
Forward of his title protection, Verstappen says he believes Purple Bull is on the precise path however he’s relishing the prospect of an in depth battle with a number of different drivers.
“I feel we do perceive the place the problems have been coming from [in 2024] however now it’s about making an attempt to simply add a greater stability to the automobile,” Verstappen mentioned. “After all you alter possibly just a few approaches however I suppose solely time will inform how a lot we’ve discovered. I discover it actually troublesome to say in the meanwhile however hopefully simply on target.
“I haven’t actually pushed rather a lot on the sim to be trustworthy, I desire to attend till I’ve pushed the true factor.
“I feel it’s good for the game (if it’s shut). That’s additionally, I feel, why the foundations have been set like that. So, I do hope that it’s thrilling and that we get plenty of completely different winners, groups as nicely. That will be nice for the game.”
The RB21 is the primary automobile with out vital enter from former chief technical officer Adrian Newey, who introduced his departure from Purple Bull after practically twenty years with the crew final 12 months. Newey will begin work at Aston Martin early subsequent month, whereas Purple Bull’s technical crew continues to be led by Pierre Wache, who has held the function of technical director since 2018.
Each Verstappen and new teammate Liam Lawson will spend time behind the wheel on Tuesday in Bahrain for the preliminary shakedown, sharing the observe with Mercedes and Williams previous to the beginning of pre-season testing on Wednesday.
