Red Bull's new windtunnel will be up and running by 2026, with the Austrian team aiming to use it for its 2027 contender.

At present the world champions use an ageing facility in Bedford, but the new windtunnel, construction of which will get underway next year, will form part of its Milton Keynes complex.

"With wind tunnels being a thing of the future by all accounts, we've had to go with the times and invest in a new wind tunnel," confirmed Christian Horner.

"Construction will start during the course of 2024," he added. However, though it is planned to have it online for 2026 it will not be used for that year's contender, the first under the planned rules overhaul.

"You don't want to introduce it in-season," said the Briton, "you have to nominate a tunnel for the year, so it will be probably to do the '27 car in."

The team's current windtunnel was previously owned by the National Aeronautical Establishment and was used in the development of Concorde along with various military projects.

Previously used by the Arrows F1 team, the windtunnel was subsequently leased by Jaguar and formed part of the deal when Red Bull bought out the Ford-owned outfit in 2004.

Though once considered one of the world's best facilities, the current windtunnel has some modern day shortcomings, which, when combined with the restrictions the team faced this year as a result of its budget cap infringement, meant the team faced an unusual dilemma.

"Our allowance increased a bit in October, as we'd served the penalty," said Horner, "so it allowed seven percent more time. But again, that's eight percent less than any other competitor. That's just the way these regulations are.

"And particularly with the wind tunnel that we have, which is a Cold War relic, and not particularly efficient, particularly in cold weather, which you tend to get a bit of in the UK, we have to be very, very selective. And that's where the team have done brilliantly well of really being selective of where we channel our development."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Ricardo_sanchez, 23/12/2023 14:34

"“With wind tunnels being a thing of the future by all accounts, we've had to go with the times…”

Seems like Newey has been knocking out those championship-dominating cars in a draughty old shed and Horner’s just cottoned-on to this new fangled wind tunnel malarkey. "

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2. Posted by Tafferel, 20/12/2023 16:47

"The main consideration for McLaren, is that the wind tunnel is inside of of the Technology Centre (if you look on Google maps, is the rectanglular shape inside the southern end of the main building). So, removing the old equipment and installing the new would have had to take place around the confines of the building, and the wider site layout. According to MK City Council's planning portal, Red Bull's application for the orginal location on Bradbourne Drive was withdrawn on the 23rd Oct. There is no newer/revised application yet, so they either have yet to apply for planning permission, or the new site is outside of the MK area."

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3. Posted by Wokingchap, 20/12/2023 16:11

"And on that bomshell, may i take this opportunity to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New year."

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4. Posted by Max Noble, 20/12/2023 8:29

"On the Wings of Eagles! Not sure what pre-existing infrastructure each had as a start point for the build.

Either McLaren had more of a green field (literally) as their start point, or Red Bull have much pre-existing building that can be reused, so it is more of a refurbishment than a true new build.

I do however fully concur with Esteemed Editor Balfe’s opinion as to where the hot air is sourced… :-)
"

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5. Posted by Editor, 19/12/2023 22:52

"@Apexing

By "imported wind" I assume you mean from Zak Brown... for he's clearly full of it."

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6. Posted by Apexing, 19/12/2023 20:12

"@Wokingchap McLaren uses the finest in imported wind, and that takes longer to get..."

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7. Posted by Wokingchap, 19/12/2023 15:28

"Only a couple of years, mmmmmmm i wonder why McLaren took about 3 times that long then??
"

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Red Bull to build new windtunnel

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