The Race F1 Podcast Tech Show: Explaining Red Bull’s 12-month Monza turnaround
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Sep 11, 2025 
Mark Hughes, an F1 journalist known for his technical insights, joins the conversation to dissect Red Bull's impressive rebound at Monza after last year's struggles. He dives into the innovative strategies behind their car development, including aerodynamic adjustments and tire management. The chat also touches on the impact of upcoming regulations in 2026, listener questions about DRS and car weight, and how these elements influence racing dynamics and vehicle performance.
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Front Load Reduced Graining At A Cost
- Increasing front wing load helped the Red Bull avoid the graining McLaren suffered and improved rotation into chicanes.
- The trade-off was left-front blistering late in the stint, but track position made it manageable.
Driver Willingness Changed Setup Choice
- Verstappen pushed the team to accept a setup they initially feared would be too hard to drive.
- His ability to handle a lively rear let the package be quicker than the safer option.
Regulations Improved Wake But Not Permanently
- The 2022 regulations reduced wake spread and improved close-following compared with older cars, but gains shrink as teams find more downforce.
- Faster cars inevitably produce messier wakes, limiting long-term raceability improvements.