Red Bull 'gaining' ground in 2024, major rival losing out

Why F1 limits wind tunnel time for F1 teams

Formula 1 has largely relied on wind tunnel testing and the computer programme CFD since testing was abolished. This allows parts on the car to be tested to your heart's content, but for several years now regulations have restricted this.

How much time are F1 teams allowed to spend in the wind tunnel?

Due to the corona virus, the strings were tightened all the way. F1 teams were sitting on around 65 wind tunnel runs per week until 2020, but were only allowed 40 runs in 2021. In 2021, a scale was also attached to that, to give smaller teams more time to catch up with the top teams. Per spot in the championship, a constructor was given 2.5 per cent more or less time in the wind tunnel at its disposal. The leader in the championship got 90 per cent of the 40 runs, or 36 runs per week. The runner-up got 112.5 per cent, or 45 runs per week.

That scale was further adjusted for the 2022-2025 F1 season, with the differences per spot being as much as five per cent. As a result, the championship leader gets only 70 per cent (28 runs per week) and the number last 115 per cent (46 runs per week).

Red Bull Racing gains ground on competition

For the 2024 F1 season, the constructors' championship standings will guide the new allocation key to be determined. Red Bull Racing will therefore get the least time in the wind tunnel of all F1 teams, while Haas, as number last, will have the most time at its disposal.

Red Bull will be allowed 70 per cent of the maximum number of runs, bringing it to 28 runs per week in the wind tunnel. Surely this will feel like a win for Red Bull, as until 26 October 2023 Red Bull could only use 63 per cent because it had a penalty for exceeding the budget cap in 2021.

Mercedes was already in second place among constructors on 30 June 2023 and thus keeps the same number of runs. Ferrari was in fourth place by mid-2023 and thus has to surrender two runs per week due to its third finishing position in 2023. McLaren is also losing ground. The Woking-based team was sixth among constructors after the Canadian Grand Prix and have moved up two spots. In doing so, they lose four runs a week.

Aston Martin are winner in this case, as it lost two spots towards the end of the season. Alpine, which was fifth in mid-2023, also gains two more runs due to its sixth spot. Haas and Alfa Romeo also gain four runs each as they both dropped two spots.

The new distribution applies until 30 June 2024. The Austrian Grand Prix will be held on Sunday 30 June, so those points will still count. The championship standings after that race weekend will determine the distribution key for the second half of the year.