P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull has been struggling with wind tunnel correlation, leading to its issues this season.
Christian Horner has acknowledged that Red Bull has been aware of the constraints of its aging wind tunnel, labeling it as a “relic of the Cold War.” The team is currently addressing issues with the RB20, leading to a decline in performance and a 41-point deficit to McLaren in the F1 constructors’ championship standings. The main problem identified by Red Bull is the lack of wind tunnel correlation, affecting aerodynamic performance. Despite knowing the limitations of their current facility in Bedford since 2005, a modern wind tunnel is under construction at the Milton Keynes base, expected to be operational by 2026. The decision to proceed with the new wind tunnel was delayed due to uncertainties surrounding potential bans and regulatory changes, ultimately triggered by the inefficiency of the current setup under the cost cap regulations. The challenges faced by Red Bull underscore the urgency to upgrade their technology to prevent falling behind in the highly competitive F1 landscape.
