Toto Wolf brands Max Verstappen’s Red Bull RB20 concept as ‘extremely courageous’

Toto Wolf brands Max Verstappen’s Red Bull RB20 concept as ‘extremely courageous’

Toto Wolff [L] and Max Verstappen [R] (images via IMAGO)

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff recently praised Red Bull’s RB20, which was inspired by the German team’s W13 and W14. Compared with the dominant RB19, which won 21 of the 22 races in the previous season with Max Verstappen leading the charge, the RB20 is a different car. Red Bull also seems to have partially adopted the zero sidepod concept, which was unsuccessful at Mercedes, for the new RB20.

Wolff pointed out that Red Bull decided to take the path of revolution, which carries a lot more risk. There is also, a lot more upside potential, rather than evolution, which carries less risk and less upside potential the Mercedes team principal added. He is impressed by the courageous risk that has been taken by Adrian Newey and his team

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An extremely courageous step…Because if they had proceeded conservatively, they would have developed a really good car further.

Wolf told Motorsports.com.

The Mercedes Team Principal stated that if Red Bull had proceeded conservatively, rather than working on a new concept. Red Bull could develop a good car. RB19 which won 21 of the 22 Races.  There will be a lot more pressure on RB20 to perform similarly to its predecessor.

The Austrian Team Principal stated that real performance depends on the underfloor of the car. Wolff then added F1 cars are ground-effective cars, where the downforce and mechanical handling matter the most. F1 cars are meant to be much more downgraded which provides them force and makes force faster.

Lewis Hamilton shares insight on George Russell’s Future at Mercedes amid Ferrari transition

Lewis Hamilton will depart from Mercedes at the end of 2024. The British driver is joining Ferrari in 2025. Lewis Hamilton has set various records with Mercedes such as the most number of wins, most entries with a single engine manufacturer, etc. George Russell has been driving alongside Hamilton for the previous two years, so it stands to reason that he will be the driver the team turns to going forward in 2025.

Mercedes F1 team, Lewis Hamilton, George Russell and Toto Wolff
Mercedes F1 team, Lewis Hamilton, George Russell and Toto Wolff (Credits: The Drive)

Hamilton stated that Russell is a very technical guy and has come a very long way from joining Williams, then being part of a team. Hamilton then added that he can and doesn’t know what else to say. The British driver concluded it by saying that Russell is very close to Toto Wolff the Team Principal of Mercedes.

Hamilton has been driving for Mercedes for the past 12 years and has won six championships. The departure of Hamilton might bring tensions to the paddock. As we don’t know till now who will replace Hamilton. And if the second driver is faster than Russell will Mercedes prioritise him or George Russell? But the most important thing is how well the season will go for Mercedes.

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