Purple Bull’s new RB21 has launched in Bahrain because it seems to be to supply Max Verstappen with the equipment to win a fifth consecutive drivers’ championship.
Verstappen has gained all three of the drivers’ titles because the floor impact vehicles had been launched in 2022, following on from his maiden championship in 2021. Purple Bull launched pictures of the RB21 earlier than operating it throughout a filming day on the Bahrain Worldwide Circuit, and says the brand new automotive is “an evolution of a era of Purple Bulls, which have dominated latest seasons”.
Purple Bull stays secretive in regards to the particulars surrounding the brand new automotive, releasing restricted details about its technical specification because it seems to be to bounce again from a difficult second half of 2024. Having gained seven of the primary ten races, Verstappen would go ten occasions with out a victory because the automotive grew to become more and more tough to drive, however two wins within the ultimate 4 races confirmed indicators of restoration.
Forward of his title protection, Verstappen says he believes Purple Bull is on the suitable path however he’s relishing the prospect of an in depth battle with a number of different drivers.
“I feel we do perceive the place the problems had been coming from [in 2024] however now it’s about making an attempt to simply add a greater stability to the automotive,” Verstappen mentioned. “After all you alter perhaps just a few approaches however I suppose solely time will inform how a lot now we have discovered. I discover it actually tough to say for the time being however hopefully simply not off course.
“I haven’t actually pushed lots on the sim to be trustworthy, I want to attend till I’ve pushed the actual factor.
“I feel it’s good for the game (if it’s shut). That’s additionally, I feel, why the principles had been set like that. So, I do hope that it’s thrilling and that we get numerous totally different winners, groups as properly. That might be nice for the game.”
The RB21 is the primary automotive with out vital enter from former chief technical officer Adrian Newey, who introduced his departure from Purple Bull after almost 20 years with the group final yr. Newey will begin work at Aston Martin early subsequent month, whereas Purple Bull’s technical group continues to be led by Pierre Wache, who has held the position of technical director since 2018.
Each Verstappen and new teammate Liam Lawson will spend time behind the wheel on Tuesday in Bahrain for the preliminary shakedown, sharing the monitor with Mercedes and Williams previous to the beginning of pre-season testing on Wednesday.
