The high-impact incident during the Monaco GP led to a costly repair bill for Red Bull Racing.
In a thrilling start to the Monaco Grand Prix, Sergio Perez’s Red Bull RB20 collided with Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg, resulting in extensive damage and a staggering estimated repair cost between $2 million and $3 million. This incident spells significant financial setbacks for Red Bull Racing, particularly amidst a season where their dominance faces mounting challenges from Ferrari and McLaren.
Beyond the hefty financial blow, the collision struck at a critical juncture in the championship race. With Ferrari and McLaren closing in on their lead, Red Bull finds themselves under increased pressure. Perez’s retirement from the race, after starting from sixteenth position, saw him drop from third to fifth place in the Drivers’ Standings.
Red Bull’s technical team has identified vulnerabilities in their setup exposed by the Monaco GP, especially in slow-speed corners—an area where rivals like McLaren have made significant strides. Despite introducing upgrades at the Imola race, Red Bull’s modifications have failed to match the enhancements seen in their competitors’ cars, notably Ferrari and McLaren, both securing two wins in the last three races.
Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, expressed dissatisfaction with the race stewards’ handling of the incident and its aftermath during a conversation with Sky Germany, as quoted by Formu1a.uno. “Am I surprised Magnussen wasn’t penalized? I’m actually surprised by how quickly the stewards managed to put the incident behind them,” Marko stated. “But first of all, it was very dangerous. And second of all, the damage to the RB20 is 2 or 3 million. This is a big handicap for us with the budget cap.
