Christian Horner blames fine margins of 2024 cars for exposing Red Bull’s ‘Cold War era’ wind-tunnel
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner admitted that the team's wind-tunnel was more of a 'Cold War relic' compared to rivals.
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Christian Horner (via IMAGO)
Red Bull Racing has dominated Formula 1 in the ground-effect era, courtesy of Max Verstappen‘s brilliant performance. However, the Austrian squad has fell behind McLaren in terms of pure pace this season. Now, Christian Horner has pointed out a key aspect which has led to the team’s struggles.
Red Bull currently uses a wind-tunnel facility in Bedford, near Milton Keynes which was an aircraft research site between 1946 and 1994. Previously, even Helmut Marko confessed that this facility was simply not at the level of modern wind-tunnels like the one used by McLaren.
Christian Horner pointed out that Milton Keynes has always been aware about the Bedford facility’s limitations. However, it is only in 2024 when these factors have impacted Red Bull’s car development. Horner reckoned that pushing the aerodynamics to the limit with very fine margins has highlighted these limitations. The Briton further labeled the wind-tunnel as a ‘Cold War relic.’
We’ve always known the limitations of the tunnel. But I think as we’ve really started to push the aerodynamics of these cars now and you’re into really fine margins, then the limitations show themselves up… We’ve got a facility that is a 60-year-old wind tunnel. It is a relic of the Cold War.
Christian Horner said, as reported by Autosport
Christian Horner recalls F1 could’ve banned wind-tunnels
Some might wonder why Red Bull did not invest in a new wind-tunnel like its rivals have done recently. Christian Horner pointed out that F1 was considering an outright ban on wind-tunnels with a complete shift to CFDs. This forced Horner and Adrian Newey to hold off on a new facility till there was complete clarity over the future of wind-tunnels in the sport.
There was a point in time that wind tunnels could have been banned. There was a discussion about whether that was going to be the case, and whether CFD would overtake it or not. Adrian [Newey] held off pushing for a new tunnel until there was clarity on that.
Christian Horner explained
Certainly, Red Bull is now feeling the brunt of its old wind-tunnel. Milton Keynes could potentially look for a new facility to ensure that it stays on par with its rivals for the long-term. However, Christian Horner must ensure that the team can still produce a capable car for 2025 with its present Bedford facility.
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Armaan Agarwal
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