Red Bull is prioritizing improved drivability and a broader operating window for their 2025 Formula 1 car, rather than focusing solely on peak performance gains. This strategic shift comes after experiencing inconsistent form in the latter part of 2024.

Despite Max Verstappen securing his fourth consecutive drivers' championship, the team's performance notably declined after winning seven of the first ten races in 2024. Team Principal Christian Horner attributes this drop-off to a mid-season upgrade around Imola that, while theoretically faster, created a problematically narrow operating window.

The car's sensitive nature particularly affected Sergio Perez, who struggled to find the optimal performance window. While Verstappen could adapt to these challenges, the narrow operating range proved too restrictive for consistent performance across different circuits and conditions.

Signs of improvement emerged late in the 2024 season, with Verstappen securing victories in two of the final four rounds. Notable performances included:

• Strong showing in Austin's Sprint race
• Victory in Brazil, with impressive dry-weather pace
• Dominant performance in Qatar

Engineers are now focused on broadening the car's operating window rather than chasing ultimate performance numbers. This approach aims to deliver more consistent performance across various circuits and conditions throughout the 2025 season.

Horner acknowledges that while they've begun to understand and address their car's issues, the competitive nature of Formula 1 means they can't take anything for granted as rivals continue to develop their own packages.

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