2016 Formula 1 World Champion Nico Rosberg believes Mercedes will be able to develop an “accurate design” of Red Bull’s floor, following Sergio Perez’s crash at the Monaco Grand Prix last weekend.
For the second time this season, Perez was eliminated in Q1 at the Circuit de Monaco after he crashed at the opening corner, resulting in a red flag.
As always at Monaco, Perez’s stricken car was lifted into the air by a crane, allowing people to see underneath his RB19.
With Red Bull having been so superior this season, the entire paddock was quick to take a photo of the RB19’s floor, which was labelled as a “thing of wonder and beauty” by Sky Sports F1 reporter Ted Kravitz.
Want to work in Formula 1? Browse the latest F1 job vacancies
Red Bull’s floor design is truly remarkable; however, with the entire paddock now having access to photography of it, Rosberg believes Mercedes will make the most of it.
The ex-F1 driver believes everybody will now be able to “really understand and learn” about what makes the RB19 so strong, perhaps meaning their advantage will be eaten into over the remainder of the season.
“Of course they have incredible talent at Mercedes,” Rosberg told Sky Sports. “And now the pictures from Monaco help a lot because thanks to Sergio’s crash there’s beautiful pictures of the underbody of the car.
“They can now take from those pictures and create a whole CAD (computer-aided design) model and do a whole accurate design in the computer of what that car is actually doing.
“That makes it very easy to start to really understand and learn about that Red Bull car.”
Reigning World Champion Max Verstappen proved just how good the RB19 is on Saturday at the Spanish Grand Prix, as the Dutchman claimed a third consecutive pole position.
READ: Max Verstappen leaves Red Bull in stitches
Perez though, was eliminated in Q2, meaning Verstappen will likely extend his championship lead considerably for a second weekend in a row.
Verstappen was so quick in qualifying at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya that he was informed by Red Bull to bail on his final lap in Q3, given that he was already guaranteed pole position.
The reigning World Champion is the clear favourite to claim a 40th career win on Sunday and a third win at the Spanish GP.