Racing Bulls confirms moving its aerodynamic activities near Red Bull
Racing Bulls plans to move its aerodynamics department from Bicester to Milton Keynes by the end of 2024. Its facilities have become outdated, and the construction of a new aero department will greatly benefit the team and be crucial in competing against the top F1 teams.
Racing Bulls director, Laurent Mekies, stated in an interview with Motorsport Week that the team plans to move its aerodynamics department from Bicester to Milton Keynes by the end of 2024. According to Mekies, this new headquarters is vital to compete with the top Formula 1 teams.
Outdated installations
Unchanged for fifteen years, the installations of the sister team of Red Bull are largely outdated and no longer meet current requirements. The team has even stopped using its wind tunnel, preferring that of Red Bull.
« Now, the installation is simply no longer up to standard. We are building something incredible in Milton Keynes for our staff. Surely, this will be decisive for working in better conditions, and for being even more attractive on the job market for upcoming challenges, », said Mekies.
Renewed ambition
Last August, Mekies had set a goal for Racing Bulls in 2024: to finish at the top of the pack. Currently sixth in the constructors’ standings with 34 points, the team maintains a modest lead of only three points over Haas.
With the arrival of the new facilities, Mekies is more ambitious than ever about the future events: “We have a good base in Faenza. We had a suboptimal base in Bicester and now we have an excellent base in Milton Keynes. So, yes, it is absolutely necessary in this path to challenge the bigger ones.”
« I think we always want more in Formula 1. If you prove yourself, you can be P6. If tomorrow, you can prove yourself, you can be P5. You will always want more. So, your five-year goal is to get as close as possible to the leaders. Also, if you want to recruit very good talents, you will have to have this ambition anyway,” he added.
A sentiment shared by Peter Bayer, CEO of Racing Bulls, who wants to see the team fight for a place in the top five in the future: For now, we may not be able to realistically compete for first, second, or third place. But I think that being sixth, getting a sniff of P5, and then aiming for P4, that’s where our ambition should be, mixing that with this young, authentic, and cool spirit.
It will certainly be necessary to wait until 2025, maybe even 2026, to see the possible developments brought about by this new aerospace department.
