The final day of testing has begun, and Max Verstappen’s team has introduced the first upgrades to the RB21. The process of understanding the “new” car is still ongoing, especially regarding the invisible elements that have been modified. Among the first changes spotted on the RB21 during testing is a new front wing—an update, but with clear Ferrari influences.
The Red Bull RB21 has surprised everyone with its similarities to the RB20, making the 2025 car extremely similar to its predecessor. According to Christian Horner, the car of the reigning world champion has been modified in details and in areas that are not immediately visible.
Among the notable changes are a new arrangement of the rear suspension arms and a revised sidepod geometry, now more sculpted to enhance undercut aerodynamics. Additional modifications have been made to the upper engine cover, aimed at improving airflow pressure retention along the car.
Yesterday, Helmut Marko hinted at an initial RB21 update, originally planned for Australia. With the first images emerging on the morning of the final day of testing, Max Verstappen’s RB21 debuted a new nose cone, accompanied by a redesigned flap geometry.
The new specification features elements inspired by Ferrari and Alpine, with a modified nose that changes the flap attachment and, most notably, its overall width. Compared to the version used by Liam Lawson on Day 2, the new nose is several centimeters wider. This change significantly affects how airflow is directed along the sides of the nose, following a design philosophy seen on Ferrari and Alpine in 2024. The wide nose concept has been retained in 2025 to enable a more precise and effective management of airflow around the suspension and toward the sidepods.
Among the other modifications in the new front wing is an updated mainplane, which features a new geometry in the central section. The “spoon” shape in the middle is now more squared and pronounced to channel a greater volume of air. The aim of these modifications is to increase airflow directed beneath the nose.
Changes have also been made to the “elbow” area, where the flap and endplate connect. Red Bull has now introduced “curls” at the junction of the last two flaps, adopting a concept previously highlighted by McLaren and Ferrari. These curls are designed to enhance the outwash effect, helping to clean up the airflow around the front wheels. Additionally, the chord length of the flaps has been entirely revised, extending them to optimize incident airflow and generate greater front-end downforce.
This modification is crucial to the overall performance of these cars, as the directed airflow feeds the floor, the primary source of aerodynamic performance. By improving front-end downforce, Red Bull aims to provide Verstappen and Lawson with an even sharper front end, aligning with the driving preferences of the Anglo-Austrian team’s drivers.
Source: f1ingenerale
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