Red Bull face challenge in 2025: 'Strategy could change in the season'
F1 News
The team will benefit from extra wind tunnel time this season because Red Bull Racing finished third in the 2024 constructors' championship. While this serves as a small consolation after losing significant prize money, it might actually work in Red Bull’s favour. Technical director Pierre Waché believes the additional development time could prove to be an advantage as the team looks to bounce back in 2025.
Waché told Motorsport.com that Red Bull's amount of time could be a big advantage ahead of the new 2026 regulations. “It is potentially a big advantage for 2026, and I hope that we use it properly,” he began. Teams at the back of the grid have not always been able to gain an advantage from their wind tunnel time. "That is not how it works in Formula 1, but it could be an advantage, and we have to use it well. It is a positive aspect of our position, so it can be quite positive.”
2025 vs 2026
The extra time in the wind tunnel actually comes at the perfect time, as two cars will be developed in quick succession for Red Bull for next season. Firstly, the 2025 car obviously needs to be developed further, but a whole new car needs to be built for 2026, using the new regulations. It is therefore important for the teams to find the right balance between the two cars. A team like Red Bull, who will most likely end up in the middle of a title battle, does not have that luxury.
The technical director explains that priorities depend on what you find in the process. “If you find a lot for 2026, then the temptation is there to put a lot of effort on 2026.
"But if we have a chance to fight for the championship in 2025, and I think we will, then you will never throw away a championship." All in all, it will be a tough choice for the teams. "We will go with a strategy at the beginning of the season, and that strategy has a massive chance to change."
This article was written in collaboration with Kim Hoefnagel.
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