Red Bull Racing has confirmed that it intends to put a new wind tunnel into operation at the start of the 2027 Formula 1 season to try to solve the data correlation problems currently faced by the team. The current facility has been showing discrepancies between simulations done at the factory and data collected on the tracks, a situation that has concerned the engineers at the Milton Keynes team for several months.
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Even with recent advances in the RB22’s performance, Red Bull is still seeking answers to improve the accuracy in car development. The problem gained even more attention after the upgrade package presented at the Miami GP, which brought Max Verstappen closer to the leading teams.
The team brought several aerodynamic novelties to the stage in the United States. Among the changes were a new front wing, more contoured sidepods, a new floor, and a folding rear wing that drew attention for its more aggressive concept compared to the model used by Ferrari.
Verstappen’s RB22 also received a new steering package, contributing to a performance considered encouraging within the team. Red Bull has also revealed that it is working on reducing the car’s weight to improve performance and facilitate the adjustment of the car’s balance. Another important focus is on the car’s aerodynamics. The team wants to reduce drag without compromising downforce, a common challenge in Formula 1 but difficult to balance in practice. In this context, the recently introduced new rear wing is part of the effort to find this ideal point.
Despite the improvements, the wind tunnel is still seen internally as one of the main obstacles to evolving the car. According to Pierre Waché, Red Bull’s technical director, the correlation between virtual data and the car’s real behavior has improved recently but is still far from ideal.
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“The correlation has been a bit better lately, but we continue working with the same tools and facing the same problems. We are trying to maximize what we have and, as for the rest, we will see,” said Waché.
The executive also confirmed that the team places great expectations on the new facility: “We have a new wind tunnel arriving soon and I hope it will allow us to take another step forward,” he added.
Later, pressed about the deadlines, the Frenchman indicated when the facility should start operating: “We hope it will already be operational and that we can use it at the beginning of next year,” he concluded.
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