RED BULL REVERTS TO STANDARD WING AFTER VERSTAPPEN CRASHES

Red Bull has switched to a conventional rear wing design for this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix, following high-speed crashes involving Max Verstappen in the previous two races. Team principal Laurent Mekies confirmed the change to BBC Sport, stating that testing since the British Grand Prix had identified a problem with the team's previous wing. The new wing opens into straight-line mode in standard fashion, reverting from Red Bull and Ferrari's 2024 design innovation.

Red Bull and Ferrari introduced a rear wing this season where the top flap rotates more than 180 degrees to enter straight-line mode, providing greater drag reduction and increased top-end speed. However, Verstappen's crash during the British Grand Prix and another during qualifying in Austria were both linked to the wing's closure behaviour when entering high-speed corners. The problem involved aerodynamic disruption as the wing transitioned from open to cornering mode, believed to stem from airflow not reattaching sufficiently quickly during closure. Verstappen characterised the situation as "super-dangerous". The issue appears to have caused a loss of rear downforce, resulting in the spins Verstappen experienced.

Red Bull conducted a short testing session at Silverstone last week to evaluate potential solutions. The reversion to conventional wing design represents a significant tactical adjustment ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, scheduled for 17–19 July. The change indicates Red Bull prioritises stability and safety over the straight-line speed advantage offered by the innovative design.