Red Bull's disappointing season could offer an unexpected advantage next year

08:06, 19 Jul

Updated: 10:18, 19 Jul

byHidde Korte

F1 journalist Rick Winkelman believes there is some comfort for Red Bull despite the challenges they have faced throughout the 2025 season.

It has been a tumultuous season for Red Bull Racing. The Austrian team has a difficult car to handle, Christian Horner has been dismissed, and Max Verstappen's future is highly uncertain.

However, Winkelman sees a positive development for Red Bull, referring to the time teams have in the wind tunnel. The lower you are in the championship, the more time you get in the wind tunnel to prepare for next season. Therefore, Red Bull's disappointing performance could work in their favour.

Max Verstappen battling Oscar Piastri during the British Grand Prix | Photo: Red Bull Contentpool

Red Bull to benefit from extra wind tunnel time

"Let me put it this way, Formula 1 teams have a limited number of hours they're allowed in the wind tunnel, to run tests, and also a limited number of hours for doing all kinds of aerodynamic work behind the computer," Winkelman started by saying on Ziggo Sport's Race Café.

"Twice a year, it's determined how much a team can do regarding computer runs based on their standing in the championship.’

‘’Each team has a kind of baseline. 320 wind tunnel runs and 2000 hours behind the computer. If you perform very well, you're allowed to do less than that. The leader in the championship, McLaren, can only use 75% of the time they would otherwise have at the end of the season. Looking at Red Bull, that can be an advantage; they are allowed to use 85% of their wind tunnel time and aerodynamic development time. That's more than McLaren and Mercedes.’’

The future of Red Bull and Verstappen

Therefore, this season's underwhelming results could work in favour of Red Bull, but it's still a guess which team will be strong next year. There has been concern over the future of Red Bull, and especially Verstappen, in recent weeks. Rumours of the Dutchman's possible move to Mercedes have been persistent. However, GPblog has summarised the current situation.