Red Bull ‘ahead of schedule’ in preparation for much-anticipated 2026 F1 rule change

Red Bull has been operating with the oldest wind tunnel among the various teams on the current Formula 1 grid.

Red Bull ‘ahead of schedule’ in preparation for much-anticipated 2026 F1 rule change

Helmut Marko, Max Verstappen and Christian Horner (Via: IMAGO)

The Milton-Keynes-based Red Bull has already started putting in the hours in preparation for the 2026 F1 season. After 2025, the sport is slated for a reset in terms of regulations. Amidst this, the Christian Horner-led outfit is not leaving any stone unturned.

Its Technical Director Pierre Wache recently shed light on the preparation for 2026 and revealed how the new wind tunnel is coming about. Red Bull currently operates with the oldest wind tunnel which hinders the team in various areas.

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However, ahead of 2026, the work is in full swing within the team.

It will be around that time. With the construction and then all the new machinery in it, you never really know how it will go, but we are currently ahead of schedule. We are about three months ahead. The guys are doing a great job, but you never really know how it will go. It is a big project.

Pierre Wache via Motorsport

Looking at the reaction of Wache, it seems all is going well as far as the development of the new wind tunnel goes. Red Bull has dominated the ongoing ground-effect era, but the tables could drastically turn under the new regulations.

Pierre Wache on the ‘limitations’ of the old wind tunnel

While Pierre Wache is optimistic going into the upcoming years, he has taken the time to cast light on the limitations of Red Bull’s old wind tunnel. The tool just does not allow the personnel at Milton Keynes to extract the maximum output.

Pierre Wache (via IMAGO)
Pierre Wache (via IMAGO)

It’s an old tool that we’ve updated along the way. There are a lot of newer parts inside, but we have some limitations. We know what those limitations are and we try to work around them as much as possible, but that’s harder when you’re looking for a very small delta.

Pierre Wache via the same interview

Red Bull has amassed decent success since making its mark in F1. The outfit’s Ex-driver Sebastian Vettel kicked things off between 2010-2013, and now the mantle of winning has been carried well by Max Verstappen (4-time champion).

Looking at 2026, the outfit could be left without the services of its star driver. In case, Horner and Co. fail to give Verstappen a strong car for the upcoming campaign, then all their preparation for 2026 could go down the drain. The Dutchman might jump ship after the end of 2025 and move to some other top team on the grid.