Christian Horner says Red Bull’s outdated wind tunnel is behind RB21’s inconsistent grip and performance drop-off in 2025.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner has pointed the finger at the team’s aging wind tunnel for the ongoing performance struggles of their 2025 challenger, the RB21. According to Horner, there’s a growing disconnect between what Red Bull’s simulation tools are telling them and what’s actually happening on the track.
“It’s like trying to tell time using two different watches,” Horner said when describing the mismatch between wind tunnel data and real-world performance.
The issue first emerged last season, with the RB20 showing signs of inconsistency in cornering balance. But those issues have not only lingered — they’ve evolved. This year, Max Verstappen has already voiced concerns about brake feel and tire degradation, particularly during the season opener in Bahrain, where he said tire wear was noticeably worse compared to last year.
At the heart of the problem is Red Bull’s wind tunnel in Bedford, a facility that dates back over 70 years. Despite numerous upgrades, it’s struggling to keep up with the razor-thin margins of modern F1 development. Dr. Helmut Marko has already hinted that this outdated setup could be a key reason the RB21 isn’t translating development gains into track performance.
Horner confirmed those suspicions. “We understand the problems with the car,” he said. “The issue is that the solutions we’re seeing in our tools don’t line up with what we’re seeing on track — and that’s something we have to get to the bottom of.”
These correlation issues aren’t entirely new. According to Horner, Red Bull faced similar challenges last year. But in 2025, with the current regulations approaching their final chapter, every tenth of a second counts.
“This era is all about marginal gains, and unfortunately, our current wind tunnel just doesn’t have the precision we need for that level of refinement,” he explained. “It’s failing to capture the small details that make a big difference.”
The main concern lies in the mid-corner phase — where drivers need maximum confidence, grip, and car balance. Red Bull believes it’s fundamentally an aerodynamic issue, one that current tools are failing to solve.
While a brand-new, state-of-the-art wind tunnel is already under construction and ahead of schedule, it won’t be online until next year. The facility is expected to be fully operational for the 2027 season, making the next two years especially challenging for the reigning champions.
Until then, Red Bull will have to work around the limitations of their outdated setup — a tough ask when the competition is closing in fast.
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Horner Blames Wind Tunnel for Red Bull RB21 Issues
Horner Blames Wind Tunnel for Red Bull RB21 Issues
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