Red Bull must move its future wind tunnel
Red Bull has finally decided to slightly relocate the site of its future wind tunnel due to future work in its factory. Despite these organizational changes, no significant delay is expected.
Current World Constructor Champion, Red Bull continues to expand. To maintain the leading edge of development, the Austrian constructor also filed a building permit for its new wind tunnel in Milton Keynes. The site had been chosen for its proximity to the mother factory. However, the team eventually decided to slightly move the location of the future wind tunnel since Red Bull is working on the construction of a new facility and on the expansion of its main factory. Consequently, the current building permit is no longer valid. According to Autosport, new documents are currently being prepared to submit a new request.
No delay expected
Despite these changes, the stable estimates that the wind tunnel will be operational as initially planned. Red Bull thinks it will be used for the development of the 2026 car. « We are investing in the facilities and the campus to make it a real technological campus in order to attract and develop talent », declared Christian Horner. « The action was approved by both shareholders. »
Since its arrival in Formula 1 in 2004, following the takeover of Jaguar, Red Bull had been working on the aerodynamics of its vehicles in a facility dating back to the second world war, modernized. The Arrows team (which disappeared in 2002) also used this facility, formerly dedicated to the development of aircraft, as its official wind tunnel. However, with the site based in Bedford and the Austrian factory in Milton, Red Bull decided to build its own facility.
Continuous progression/h2>
The construction of a new wind tunnel at Red Bull was one of the last decisions of Dietrich Mateschitz, the co-founder of the company. The Austrian businessman passed away in 2022. In Austin, Christian Horner welcomed the progress of the team in terms of infrastructure and long-term commitments.
« We have considerable support. The commitment is absolute! », declared the British director. « Our strength and intensity have always come from our collaborators, and I believe we have the strongest technical team we’ve ever had. I think that operationally, we are strong. I see no weaknesses in the organization. I believe we will continue to improve. You can always progress and you always learn. I think Red Bull Racing is in the best shape it’s ever been. »
