Russell wants more fair limits on aerodynamic testing
While the quantity of tests that can be carried out currently depends on the team's position in the championship, Russell requests that the distribution percentage be based on points, allowing for a better reflection of dominance.
Aerodynamic tests are among the most important tests in Formula 1. It is thanks to them that teams can know the modifications to be made to their car in the coming weeks and for the rest of the season. But these tests are governed very strictly by the FIA.
George Russell, who finds the practice unfair towards the weaker teams, therefore asks the FIA to change the rules in the interest of fairness.
Limited and regulated aerodynamic tests
Throughout the year, teams can conduct tests on their car as part of the improvements they wish to make. These aerodynamic tests make it possible to understand the movements of the air and their impact on the car. They are carried out using fluid mechanics simulation software and wind tunnels with F1 models up to a maximum of 60% of the actual size.
To avoid too large gaps in progress among certain teams, and in order to have a fairly homogeneous grid, the FIA has imposed a different test time based on the teams and their position in the ranking.
With 10 teams, it is the 7th team in the standings that serves as the reference with a base of 100% of the time allowed by the regulations. The teams above it in the championship will therefore have a reduction in time in percentage, and the teams below it in the standings will have an increase in this index in percentage. This allowed percentage is reset every six months. This year, it was June 30, during the Austrian Grand Prix, that the percentage was reset. This reset gave an advantage to certain teams, notably Mercedes, which gained 10% due to its position in the championship, which was worse than the previous 6 months. But even if it seems to help them at first glance, George Russell does not agree with this system.
Aerodynamic development from June 30 to December 31, 2024
The 7th team acts as the base 100. Therefore, Haas is entitled to 320 wind tunnel runs during the next 6 months, for 2000 3D simulations. In addition to this data, time limitations are provided. Thus, for 320 wind tunnel runs, the team cannot turn on the wind tunnel for more than 80 hours and cannot be present inside for more than 400 hours.
| Équipe | % de développement max. | Essais souffleries | Essais mécanique des fluides numériques | |
| 1 | Red Bull | 70 | 224 | 1400 |
| 2 | Ferrari | 75 | 240 | 1500 |
| 3 | McLaren | 80 | 256 | 1600 |
| 4 | Mercedes | 85 | 272 | 1700 |
| 5 | Aston Martin | 90 | 288 | 1800 |
| 6 | RB | 95 | 304 | 1900 |
| 7 | Haas | 100 | 320 | 2000 |
| 8 | Alpine | 105 | 336 | 2100 |
| 9 | Williams | 110 | 352 | 2200 |
| 10 | Stake | 115 | 368 | 2300 |
A percentage point
Always first in the championship, after the aero test reset, Red Bull keeps its 70% of development. A too significant advantage, according to George Russell. The wind tunnel thing is really good, but it is based on positions at the moment rather than on points. Red Bull has had double the points compared to the team in second place in the constructor’s championship, and they get the same wind tunnel time reduction as the teams in second or third position. Last year, there was only a three-point difference between Mercedes and Ferrari. So, maybe if it was based on the number of points scored, rather than on the position in the championship, it would help teams to catch up more quickly. George Russell pointed out.
Aerodynamic tests, which were recently reset, have offered greater development time opportunities because of the mid-season. This time, 10 weeks will be dedicated to these tests compared to the usual 8 weeks. The allocation will not be reset until December 31. So, until then, there is little chance of seeing a change happening.
