RED BULL OUTLINES TIMELINE FOR NEW F1 WIND TUNNEL

Red Bull's new state-of-the-art wind tunnel won't be fully operational until early 2027, a crucial setback as the team navigates the radical 2026 regulations. Technical director Pierre Wache confirmed the timeline, noting Red Bull must continue using Formula 1’s oldest wind tunnel for the next two seasons. This aged facility, once dubbed a "Cold War relic" by Christian Horner, has historically presented correlation challenges between simulation and track performance.

While recent Miami upgrades showed encouraging signs for correlation, previous packages, like Japan's, offered little discernible difference on track for Max Verstappen. The delay means Red Bull will develop its initial 2026 challenger using outdated tools, contrasting with rivals like McLaren and Aston Martin who already leverage cutting-edge facilities. Red Bull continues to push development, with a "minor step" planned for Montreal and a more significant upgrade aiming for the European season, targeting minimum weight by the Austrian Grand Prix.