Horner hopeful to 'replicate' Imola pace in Barcelona as flexi-wings 'add another element' to racing

10:33, 28 May

byOlly Darcy

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is hopeful that his team can "replicate" the pace that the Austrian team had at Imola for the Spanish Grand Prix, with "another element" added to racing in Barcelona.

The start of the 2025 season for Horner and his team and several issues, with the RB21 car struggling to find the pace needed to fight at the front of the grid.

However, updates were brought for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, and a major shift in the car's performance occured, with Verstappen driving an imperious race to take his second win of the season in commanding style in front of the two McLarens.

Verstappen made a fine move on lap 1 to overtake Oscar Piastri, racing away from the Australian to take P1.

An opportunity arises for Red Bull and Horner

The Austrian team were unable to find the pace at the monaco Grand Prix as Lando Norris took victory, but with many paralells between Imola and Catalunya, Horner is hopeful about his team's chances.

"Let's see. Let's see. We always knew coming to Monaco would expose some of our cars. It was never going to be our strongest circuit. So, going back to Barcelona, I hope we can replicate closer to what we did in Imola," the British team boss explained.

"We arrived there, we got 25 points, and we only gave away three points to the championship leader today, so we're still within a race win with 16 races still to go. There's an enormous amount of racing, plus sprint races, etc, etc., so there's a long, long way to go in this championship."

Flexi-wings to throw a spanner in the works

The race weekend at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya marks a major change in flexi-wing regulations, with front wing flexing to be decreased from 15 millimetres to ten millimetres.

McLaren have been the leaders in regards to the flexi-wing technology, but the British team have said it will not affect their performance. But, Horner believes that these changes could alter things throughout the rest of the season.

"You're never going to design a car specific to one circuit, and I think what we try and do is improve the car everywhere. But it's always a trade between aerodynamics, mechanical grip, and the combination of how they work in unison.

"McLaren have done a very good job with that, and congratulations to Lando and McLaren on their win. But, for sure, it's another element being introduced from next weekend," concluded Horner.