Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner provided an update on Red Bull’s new wind tunnel project in an interview with RACER.com. While the Austrian team may have dominated in 2023, it did so using an outdated wind tunnel. The construction of a more modern model is set to commence soon.
The wind tunnel dating back to 1947 has long been a weak link for Red Bull. In 2015, Horner attempted to lobby for a ban on wind tunnels, but he couldn’t garner enough support from his peers. Now that it’s evident wind tunnels will remain a part of the game for the time being, Red Bull is set to replace the 76-year-old wind tunnel within the next few years.
In a conversation with journalist Chris Medland, Horner shared an update on the latest plans. “The peculiar thing about the regulations is that wind tunnels will continue to play a crucial role in the future, so we had to keep up with the times and invest in a new wind tunnel. The 50-year-old team principal of Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez explained that construction would commence in the course of 2024.
Red Bull’s New Wind Tunnel Faces Delays
It will still take some time before Red Bull Racing can actually make use of this new wind tunnel, with regulations causing additional delays. “You have to designate one wind tunnel per season for use, so you can’t introduce the new wind tunnel during the season. We’ll probably start designing the 2027 car with it,” Horner acknowledges. However, even with the current outdated wind tunnel, Red Bull seems to be experiencing little trouble remaining competitive.
Red Bull’s wind tunnel situation is already complex, as it not only relies on an outdated model but also has very limited wind tunnel hours at its disposal as a constructor’s champion. Horner also highlighted the penalty for exceeding the budget limit. “Since October, we can use a bit more wind tunnel time than before. We now have seven percent more wind tunnel time, but it’s still eight percent less than any other team. That’s just how the regulations work.”
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Despite Facing Challenges, Red Bull’s Performance Shines
Horner emphasizes the remarkable achievement of the team’s performance despite the outdated wind tunnel and limited available hours. He underscores the antiquated nature of the wind tunnel by highlighting even the temperature as a significant factor. “The wind tunnel we currently have is a relic from the Cold War and not particularly efficient, especially in cold weather, which is often an issue in Great Britain. So, we have to be very selective. The team has been very discerning in choosing our development path and has done that brilliantly.”
