Red Bull F1 team adds T-wing to 2017 car at Monaco Grand Prix
Red Bull has belatedly added a T-wing to its 2017 Formula 1 car at the Monaco Grand Prix, as part of its RB13 upgrade package
While rivals including Mercedes and Ferrari favoured the T-wing, allowed by a loophole in the regulations but banned from 2018, Red Bull started the season without one.
In a bid to close the gap to the front of the field, Red Bull is on an aggressive development push, and after appearing to take a step forward at the Spanish Grand Prix, has brought more to Monaco.
The T-wing run by both drivers in first practice is the most-visible element, with Renault also adding one to mean all F1 teams have now done so.
While Max Verstappen's Barcelona race finished on the first lap, he reckoned there was reason to feel optimistic about Red Bull's upgrades.
"I think it was a good step forward," he said.
"Of course I didn't do the race, so I don't know how it was, but I felt good all weekend at Barcelona. Then my race was finished after 700 metres.
"I think it was a good step forward, but we have to wait and see."
Red Bull had one of its most competitive weekends of the 2016 season in Monaco, with Daniel Ricciardo taking pole position and only losing the race after a pitstop blunder.
Verstappen is not sure that his team can repeat that strong form this year, though.
"We are not in the same position as last year, let's say that," he said.
"It will be harder. But you never know. We always try to do our best and if you feel comfortable in the car, that's always a big plus as well around this track."
The Dutch driver is confident he will have a better weekend, after crashing out of his only two Monaco GP starts so far, and in qualifying last year.
"We'll try to stay out of the walls," he said.
"I learned a lot from it, a lot of small things that can make an improvement in every aspect of the car and also myself.
"I feel good. That's the plus."
F1 teams told to modify jack points by FIA after Billy Monger crash
F1 Monaco GP: Mercedes' Hamilton leads Vettel in first practice
Formula 1 chiefs to make push for lighter grand prix cars
Formula 1 chiefs to make push for lighter grand prix cars Formula 1 chiefs to make push for lighter grand prix cars
Ferrari: Red Bull-style sidepods not a knee-jerk copy
Ferrari: Red Bull-style sidepods not a knee-jerk copy Ferrari: Red Bull-style sidepods not a knee-jerk copy
Why the end of F1’s design divergence is nothing to be sad about
Why the end of F1’s design divergence is nothing to be sad about Why the end of F1’s design divergence is nothing to be sad about
Marshall’s Red Bull exit not linked to McLaren F1 engine deal
Marshall’s Red Bull exit not linked to McLaren F1 engine deal Marshall’s Red Bull exit not linked to McLaren F1 engine deal
Horner: Perez can relax now F1 title pressure is off
Horner: Perez can relax now F1 title pressure is off Horner: Perez can relax now F1 title pressure is off
Why Verstappen's 2023 Spanish GP win wasn't as simple as it looked
Why Verstappen's 2023 Spanish GP win wasn't as simple as it looked Why Verstappen's 2023 Spanish GP win wasn't as simple as it looked
Why the Isle of Man TT has given us motorsport’s best rivalry of 2023
Why the Isle of Man TT has given us motorsport’s best rivalry of 2023 Why the Isle of Man TT has given us motorsport’s best rivalry of 2023
Formula 1 chiefs to make push for lighter grand prix cars
Formula 1 chiefs to make push for lighter grand prix cars Formula 1 chiefs to make push for lighter grand prix cars
MotoGP 23 game review: Significant progress
MotoGP 23 game review: Significant progress MotoGP 23 game review: Significant progress
Vanwall Hypercar suffering loss of power in Le Mans heat
Vanwall Hypercar suffering loss of power in Le Mans heat Vanwall Hypercar suffering loss of power in Le Mans heat
Why F1’s quest for more isn't always better
Why F1’s quest for more isn't always better Why F1’s quest for more isn't always better
Why the end of F1’s design divergence is nothing to be sad about
Why the end of F1’s design divergence is nothing to be sad about Why the end of F1’s design divergence is nothing to be sad about
Why Mercedes may be wrong to be so cagey on new F1 expectations
Why Mercedes may be wrong to be so cagey on new F1 expectations Why Mercedes may be wrong to be so cagey on new F1 expectations
Is this F1's most underrated driver of 2023?
Is this F1's most underrated driver of 2023? Is this F1's most underrated driver of 2023?
Spanish Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Spanish Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Spanish Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Why Verstappen's 2023 Spanish GP win wasn't as simple as it looked
Why Verstappen's 2023 Spanish GP win wasn't as simple as it looked Why Verstappen's 2023 Spanish GP win wasn't as simple as it looked
How F1 teams manage the punishing reality of F1’s relentless schedule
How F1 teams manage the punishing reality of F1’s relentless schedule How F1 teams manage the punishing reality of F1’s relentless schedule
The war reality that shines a light on the job Red Bull is doing
The war reality that shines a light on the job Red Bull is doing The war reality that shines a light on the job Red Bull is doing
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.