Red Bull gives update on development of Verstappen's RB16-B

Helmut Marko has provided Red Bull Racing fans with an update on the state of development of the RB16-B. The advisor to the Austrian racing team says that everything is going according to plan despite the outbreak of the British variant of the coronavirus.

Red Bull are based in Milton Keynes, UK, but the production department can continue to work at full capacity. "The coronavirus problems are more about the area in London. We are a bit more northern," Marko told Germany's Auto, Motor und Sport. "We are well on schedule," he said.

Red Bull need not rush

The winter tests have been postponed by ten days and moved to Bahrain, as the season opener will also take place there. It gives Red Bull a little more rest. "It's more comfortable that production is not under so much pressure. The aim is to reach the downforce level of the end of 2020."  That's quite a challenge aerodynamically, as the rule changes for 2021 mean a 20 per cent loss in downforce.

The team of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez will be aiming to be competitive at the start of the season and not fall behind. In previous years that has been a constant struggle and Marko is therefore cautious in his promises. Whether the mandatory changes to the floor, for example, could play to Red Bull's advantage? "Every team, every technical group reports that they are on the right track. It's always the same at this time of year."