Evolution or revolution? Given its current difficulties, Red Bull would be well advised to change its concept for next year. But this will not be possible: due to capped budgets and especially the imminence of the major regulatory upheaval, in 2026, Milton Keynes will not be able to afford such a luxury.
Christian Horner, the boss of Red Bull, therefore admitted: next year, Max Verstappen will have to struggle with the current concept of the car.
“In this job, you are constantly juggling and you have to move forward step by step. »
“You can’t anticipate too much. The long term in F1 is about two and a half months, and basically what we learn this year is relevant for next year. »
“So next year’s car will be an evolution of this year’s. There are many components from last year’s car that have been carried over this year, because with the budget cap, unless there is a significant improvement in performance, it doesn’t make sense to to change. »
Red Bull must pay close attention to 2026, as this year will mark an even more significant change in Milton Keynes than for other teams. The team will in fact become its own engine manufacturer, with Red Bull Powertrains.
“This is by far our biggest challenge”adds Horner.
“We created a new company, aggressively recruited 600 people, built a factory, put processes in place, and brought together a group of people to work within the Red Bull culture, which has been so successful in chassis development. »
“Of course, many come from other F1 teams, competitors and suppliers, and it’s a huge task to make it all work for two teams in 2026.”
“We also have a great partnership with Ford Motor Company, and that collaboration is working very well. However, there will inevitably be difficulties in the short term, but in the long term there will be benefits to having everything under one roof with the engineers. We have already seen the benefits and difference it makes to have the chassis and engine engineers working virtually side by side as we begin to integrate the 2026 engine into the 2026 car.”
The wind tunnel, a major factor behind Red Bull’s regression?
Another crucial factor is the wind tunnel. Red Bull has identified significant correlation issues with its current wind tunnel, based in Bedford, which is showing its age: it has been in operation since 2005.
A new wind tunnel is being built in Milton Keynes; but this will only be active in 2026. Which means that Red Bull will have to prepare its next two or three F1s with a dated tool.
Does this make Christian Horner worried? This one delivers an elegant little tackle to Newey as he passes!
“We have always known the limitations of the wind tunnel”he said. “But as we really push the aerodynamics of these cars and work on very fine margins, these limitations show themselves. »
“At one point, there was talk of banning wind tunnels”he continues.
« Adrian [Newey] delayed the request for a new wind tunnel until there was clarity on this matter. But there came a time when Aston Martin wanted a new wind tunnel, and the FIA changed its position. »
“So it was a matter of saying, ‘Look, we have to do this, and we have to do it now, because the regulations, with the budget cap, make our current wind tunnel very inefficient.’ »
“We have a facility that is a 60-year-old wind tunnel. It’s a relic of the Cold War. It’s been good enough to produce some fantastic cars for us over the years, but it has its limitations. »
“For example, under five degrees Celsius, we can’t use it. Above 25 degrees it becomes quite unstable. »
