Red Bull’s performance in the 2024 Formula 1 season has been a rollercoaster ride, and recently, they’ve encountered a significant challenge: correlation problems between their simulator and the actual track. Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s advisor, shed light on this issue after a “sobering and painful” Monaco Grand Prix qualifying display.
The correlation problem manifests when the team transitions from the simulator to the real track. In the simulator, they navigate over kerbs without any issues, but on the actual circuit, the car behaves unpredictably—almost like a kangaroo bouncing around. This discrepancy has affected their performance, as seen in Miami and partly in Imola.
🎙️| Helmut Marko says that at Red Bull, they don’t have correlation between the simulator and the track:
“The correlation between the simulator and the track doesn't work."
“In the simulator, we pass over the kerbs without problems. Here, to quote Verstappen, the car bounces…
— Ferrari News 🐎 (@FanaticsFerrari) May 26, 2024
Max Verstappen, Red Bull’s star driver, expressed frustration with the RB20’s handling during the Monaco Grand Prix qualifying. He had to avoid kerbs in the middle sector, likening the car to a go-kart. The team’s struggles were evident as Verstappen secured only sixth place on the grid,
Helmut Marko said, “The correlation between the simulator and the track doesn’t work.” “In the simulator, we pass over the kerbs without problems. Here, to quote Verstappen, the car bounces like a kangaroo. This is the problem, which was also evident in the set-up in Miami and partly in Imola.”
“This is where we have to start, but we believe that when we get to real circuits like Barcelona, for example, we will find our old form again.”
Sergio Perez’s Dramatic Crash in Monaco Grand Prix Lap 2: Red Bull’s Misfortune
As the cars jostled for position in the tight confines of Monaco’s streets, Perez’s Red Bull collided with the barrier. The impact was so severe that all but one of the Mexican driver’s wheels were torn off the car. The race was immediately red-flagged, halting the action and allowing safety crews to respond swiftly.
Remarkably, Sergio Perez emerged from the wreckage unharmed. His ability to walk away from such a devastating crash is a testament to the safety measures in modern Formula 1 cars. The Red Bull team faced a significant setback, losing valuable points in the championship battle.
Charles Leclerc, a Monaco native, had twice before taken pole position at his home race but missed out on victory. This time, he capitalized on his blistering pace and flawless execution.
Ferrari’s race plan centered on managing from the front, and Leclerc delivered. He controlled the race, maintaining a steady lead over McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.
READ MORE: Fans in Danger After Perez’s Red Bull Slams into Barriers During Haas Crash at Monaco GP
