Red Bull has found itself in a sharp decline, losing its once-dominant position in Formula 1. The Milton Keynes team has faced a challenging season marked by internal disputes and lackluster performances on the track. As a result, the reigning champions are now at serious risk of losing their grip on the world title. With only six races left, Red Bull needs a dramatic turnaround, but with McLaren leading by 41 points, it seems like an uphill battle. The underwhelming performance of the RB20 makes closing that gap a daunting challenge.
Meanwhile, McLaren’s Lando Norris is making strides toward overtaking Max Verstappen. McLaren’s strategic approach to upgrades has made the MCL38 the fastest car on the grid. This means that the early-season advantage Verstappen built may no longer be enough to secure his title. Red Bull’s growing concern about losing both championships was evident in Helmut Marko’s comments after the Singapore Grand Prix. Marko also raised key issues, such as the aging wind tunnel and the significant impact of Adrian Newey’s exit from the team.
How An “Outdated” Wind Tunnel Is Halting Red Bull’s Domination
Dr. Helmut Marko previously acknowledged that Red Bull’s wind tunnel is old and outdated, potentially contributing to the team’s struggles with recent upgrades. He mentioned that the current wind tunnel, a relic from the post-war era built by the British Army, could be hindering their progress in developing more competitive aerodynamic solutions. Also, Marko dismissed the speculation surrounding the timing of Adrian Newey’s departure and Red Bull’s recent struggles. While he acknowledges that Newey’s exit represents a notable shift for the team, he remains confident that the Bulls have a strong and capable team to manage this transition effectively.
Max Verstappen echoed Marko’s concerns about the outdated facility but added that, despite its age, the wind tunnel had served the team well until this season. This unexpected dip in performance has puzzled the team, as the same wind tunnel had previously delivered effective results. Verstappen noted that while the limitations of the older facility are now evident, it’s challenging for the team to pinpoint why this season has been so different compared to previous years.
Max Verstappen Unsure Of Old Wind Tunnel’s Impact On Red Bull’s Performance
Furthermore, the Dutchman observed that many Formula One teams, with the exception of McLaren, are experiencing their own set of challenges, regardless of whether they have modern wind tunnels. He highlighted the inherent difficulty in achieving precise tuning or extracting accurate data from these facilities. Various factors can influence this process, including the wind tunnel’s design and its ability to correlate with real-world track performance. This suggests that even teams equipped with advanced technology face complexities in optimizing their performance on the circuit.