Worth noting - Red Bull of Ricciardo finished nearly a full lap behind Hamilton and Vettel. Mammoth gap and it just seems the car is not anywhere near the level we expected RB to be.
That title challenge I thought would emerge with Red Bull this season has not come to fruition. I know a lot of people will make the point that the Renault engine isn't integrated with the Red Bull chassis in the way it used to be given that Renault has its own works team again but I just wonder whether Newey's design capabilities become a lot less advantageous when the rules allow teams to really maximise downforce and grip levels. Before the rule changes in 2009 that saw aero levels reduced the last car he designed that was a title winning car before the 2010 Red Bull was the 1998 McLaren - a gap of 12 years. In that 12 years F1 really seemed to develop rapidly on the aero front with Rory Byrne and Ferrari in particular benefiting. Bar the odd car here and there (like the 2005 McLaren) Newey never really got a look in during the 00s era. But since the strict aero regulations were enforced from 2009 up until last year his talents really emerged and his exploitation of those stricter/less freer design rules were well cited. Seems to be the more reduced the aero levels are in the sport, the more prominent a figure Adrian Newey is but once all that aero is given back with the new extreme aero rules the less 'great' he looks.
Just a theory. And probably a sh*t one.
p.s - another FANTASTIC result for Force India. Amazing consistency by Ocon and Perez. Team of the season so far for me. Must be that fantastic pink paint job.
I think in this era of Formula 1 cars that the engine has been the biggest driver of performance.
See Williams and Force India challenging the mega buck team of Red Bull.
That said. I don't think Red Bull have called the new regs right AT ALL this season.
Look at how aggressive Mercedes and Ferrari have gone on aero.
Red Bull have gone down a different/wrong path of clean lines, less drag.
They're months behind because of that.
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