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Red Bull explains what went wrong with RB20 F1 car

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Red Bull technical director Pierre Wache has delved into the reasons that led the squad to lose the Formula 1 constructors’ title in 2024, although Max Verstappen retained his crown to become a four-time world champion.

Red Bull’s season got off to a flying start with Verstappen winning four of the first five grands prix and leading three 1-2s thanks to Sergio Perez’s contribution.

However, the RB20 slipped down the pecking order as McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes took turns at the front of the field in a topsy-turvy campaign. While Verstappen remained a regular podium contender, which was key to his championship success, his Mexican team-mate failed to finish any of the last 18 grands prix in the top five – which cost him his seat, taken by Liam Lawson for 2025.

But Red Bull did not even expect to be dominant at the start of the season.

“The season was basically as challenging as we expected,” Wache told Autosport. “I would say we were more surprised at the beginning of the season because of the gap we had. We expected the whole season to be like the end of the season, a big fight with the others.

“We didn’t expect such a big hole in the middle of the season ourselves, but we did expect a big fight with others.”

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin AMR24, George Russell, Mercedes F1 W15, Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB20, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W15, Zhou Guanyu, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber C44, make a practice start
© Autosport.com

 

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin AMR24, George Russell, Mercedes F1 W15, Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB20, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W15, Zhou Guanyu, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber C44, make a practice start

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

So what went wrong with the RB20? While Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko previously mentioned the team’s 2025 challenger needing a wider operating window, Wache explained the predominant issue was correlation: the CFD and simulator data did not match what happened on the track.

“There are multiple aspects to that story,” the Frenchman elaborated. “The first one is the correlation, that the car had some different characteristics than what we expected in terms of aero.

“Another aspect is that we didn’t expect some elements would affect the car performance as much as they did. They were not there by desire, but maybe we didn’t focus enough on them. Those elements were still there at the end of the season and we have to fix them for 2025.

“We had a loss of downforce in some areas of the [downforce] map and therefore we didn’t perform on track as we thought we could based on the wind tunnel, so there were some holes. That is a correlation issue and in terms of delivery on track it was mainly a balance issue.”

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The balance problems were particularly tricky to handle on kerbs and weren’t acted on straight away due to how dominant the RB20 initially was – no car got within two tenths of the polesitting Red Bull over the first five qualifying sessions in 2024.

“I think we spotted it, but after that the car was quick and we didn’t want to modify it massively,” Wache admitted. “When we came back to Europe and were challenged more by McLaren, then it started to become more and more evident that it was one of the biggest issues for us to go quicker.”

As a consequence, the RB20’s potential wasn’t fully unlocked, Wache said – though he insisted that going back to older specifications would have been detrimental.

“In Qatar the car had the same characteristics and we were able to win fairly and make the quickest car for this track,” he pointed out. “So performance is always relative to the others.”

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NPFL: Sunshine Stars coach, Akinfolarin demands more from players after win against Enyimba

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Sunshine Stars head coach, Bobola Akinfolarin has called for improvement from his players after their victory over Enyimba in a matchday 33 encounter.

Sunshine Stars beat Enyimba 2-1 In a keenly contested this at the Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu-Ode on Sunday.

Akinfolarin believes the players still need to improve on their physical strength.

He, however, admitted that the team is on the right path.

“We needed this. It gives us a push,” Akinfolarin told Sunshine Stars media.

“We still have work to do, especially on the players’ physical strength, but I believe we are heading in the right direction.”

Sunshine Stars will next travel to Port Harcourt for a matchday 34 clash against Rivers United.

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Van Dijk’s Late Winner Edges Liverpool Towards Premier League Title

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A record-equalling 20th English top-flight title could come as early as next Sunday if Liverpool win at Leicester and Arsenal lose away to Ipswich.

Virgil van Dijk spared Liverpool’s blushes with a late winner to beat West Ham 2-1 on Sunday and edge to within six points of the Premier League title.

Andy Robertson’s own goal four minutes from time had given the lowly Hammers a deserved equaliser after Luis Diaz put Liverpool in front early on.

Van Dijk, though, swiftly restored the lead to show Liverpool retain the mentality of champions, even if they are running out of steam in the closing stages of the season.

“That was a relief because to me it felt after West Ham scored and the way the second half went, it was maybe more that you could expect them scoring,” said Liverpool boss Arne Slot.

“But our fans and our players thought differently because from the moment they scored the 1-1, we started playing again, we started pressing again. The fans were really loud at that moment of time.”

Liverpool’s lead stretches to 13 points with six games remaining.

Liverpool’s Colombian midfielder #07 Luis Diaz (2nd R) celebrates with Liverpool’s English midfielder #17 Curtis Jones (R), Liverpool’s Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah and Liverpool’s Northern Irish defender #84 Conor Bradley after scoring his team first goal during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and West Ham United at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on April 13, 2025. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) 

A record-equalling 20th English top-flight title could come as early as next Sunday if Liverpool win at Leicester and Arsenal lose away to Ipswich.

The stage was set before kick-off for Mohamed Salah to be the hero as the Egyptian was given a huge ovation just days after ending speculation over his future by signing a new two-year contract.

Salah started with the intention of making sure he was the focus of attention as young left-back Ollie Scarles struggled to cope with the Premier League’s top scorer.

 

The 32-year-old has failed to score in seven of his last eight Liverpool games as his sensational early season form has failed off.

But he still managed to set a new Premier League record by registering his 45th goal or assist of the campaign, the most ever in a 38-game season.

Salah outmuscled Scarles on the touchline and sprinted clear before an inch-perfect cross for Diaz allowed the Colombian to tap in for his 15th goal of the season on 18 minutes.

Defeat sees West Ham slip to 17th in the table, but they had a series of chances to take at least a point.

The fatigue that has seen Liverpool struggle in recent times was in evidence again as they had goalkeeper Alisson Becker to thank for moving another three points closer to the title.

Alisson brilliantly tipped Mohammed Kudus’ attempted chip onto the bar with the visitors first serious attack.

Jarrod Bowen had West Ham’s best chance to level when he failed to beat Alisson when one-on-one with the Brazilian before he turned away another powerful drive by Kudus.

When West Ham did finally find the net, it was thanks to two of Liverpool’s most experienced defenders.

Liverpool’s Dutch manager Arne Slot celebrates at the end of the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and West Ham United at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on April 13, 2025. Liverpool wins 2 – 1 against West Ham United. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) 

Robertson and Van Dijk both went for the same ball and the Scotland captain diverted Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross into his own net.

The goal suddenly sparked Liverpool into life after a listless second half as Diaz’s deflected effort went over the bar.

Van Dijk took just three minutes to make amends for the equaliser as he powered in Alexis Mac Allister’s corner.

The Dutchman kissed the badge in celebration in a potential nod to him reportedly being close to following Salah in signing a new contract.

There was still more drama to come as Niclas Fullkrug hit the bar for West Ham in stoppage time.

But Liverpool held out to take another step towards the title in Slot’s first season in charge.

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EPL: Onana dropped from Man United squad to face Newcastle

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Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana will not feature in Sunday’s Premier League fixture against Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

The Cameroon international has come under increasing scrutiny following a poor performance in Thursday’s 2-2 draw against Lyon in the Europa League.

Onana was deemed responsible for both of the French side’s goals, adding to a season already marked by high-profile mistakes.

His omission from the squad was confirmed by sources who stated it was to allow Onana to “rest and disconnect.”

The decision is not considered permanent, and the 29-year-old is expected to return for the second leg of the quarter-final tie against Lyon at Old Trafford on Thursday.

The error-strewn display came just a day after former United midfielder Nemanja Matic branded Onana “one of the worst goalkeepers” in the club’s history.

Despite the criticism, manager Ruben Amorim has offered his support.

Amorim publicly defended the under-fire keeper following the Lyon match, stating that he had personally made more mistakes this season than Onana.

Onana, who arrived from Inter Milan in 2023 for £47 million, has struggled to justify his hefty price tag. Although he has started all 69 Premier League games since joining, his form has remained inconsistent.

Since the beginning of last season, he has made eight errors leading directly to goals—the highest of any goalkeeper currently at a Premier League club.

Onana replaced long-serving goalkeeper David de Gea, a move made by former manager Erik ten Hag, who favored Onana’s ability with the ball at his feet.

Turkey’s Altay Bayindir is expected to make his Premier League debut on Sunday in Onana’s place.

It would mark just his sixth appearance of the season, having previously featured only in domestic cup competitions. He last played in January.

Off the pitch, Onana has also faced personal challenges. Last month, his wife, Melanie Kamayou, was robbed while leaving a restaurant in Cheshire.

Meanwhile, Newcastle will also be without their manager Eddie Howe for Sunday’s clash. The club confirmed that Howe had been admitted to hospital after feeling unwell for several days.

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