Formula 1 News: Is Red Bull's Imola upgrade a disaster?

The upgrades Red Bull brought to Imola, the last design upgrades led by Adrian Newey, appear to be a complete and utter disaster if Friday’s practice times at Imola are any indication.

(GMM) Ferrari has become a “serious opponent” for the dominant Red Bull team, the latter’s top F1 consultant Dr Helmut Marko admitted at Imola.

Maranello-based Ferrari brought a major upgrade to this weekend’s race, with Red Bull technical boss Pierre Wache admitting the new components on his drivers’ cars are less “visible”.

La Repubblica newspaper headlined after Friday at Imola: “The new Ferrari works”.

Indeed, Charles Leclerc was quickest in both sessions, while Max Verstappen could not rise above fifth fastest in a notably scrappy session for the championship leader.

“We were the most consistent across all disciplines,” Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur admitted.

So while Ferrari’s upgrade clearly seems to work, Red Bull have been left scratching their head.

“The upgrade and the setup don’t fit together yet,” Marko confessed.

“We developed in the wrong direction and are completely out of the window. The car doesn’t work with any tire compound,” the Austrian lamented.

Red Bull’s #1 driver, Verstappen, was a full half-second off the pace, with Marko adding: “We were even further behind in the long runs. That alarms me more than the fastest lap.

“What worries me the most is that Max has problems with it. And if Max can’t get it under control, then something is very wrong.”

81-year-old Marko also told Sky Deutschland: “The car reacts differently every time, and above all is completely unpredictable.

Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Consultant Dr Helmut Marko and Raymond Vermeulen, Manager of Max Verstappen walk in the Paddock prior to practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari Circuit on May 17, 2024 in Imola, Italy. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

“It may be the case that some of the new parts do not function optimally as a package. But we don’t think it’s a fundamental problem, otherwise it would be the case in every sector.”

And in contrast, “It is impressive what Ferrari is showing,” Marko added.

“The competition is getting closer – that is a fact,” he told Kleine Zeitung newspaper. “Ferrari has certainly taken a step forward. I see them as our most serious opponent.”

Mercedes also has an upgraded car at Imola, and the team and drivers sounded more positive than usual after Friday’s proceedings.

Marko said: “Sometimes they are at the front and then suddenly they are completely gone again. Let’s see if they can untie their Gordian knot with their upgrade.”