Last Updated on October 12 2024, 8:38 am
Evolution over revolution: The RB20 as the foundation for 2025 – As the 2024 Formula One season nears its climax, Red Bull Racing has begun laying the groundwork for its 2025 campaign. Rather than invest in a completely new car, the team has opted to evolve its current RB20 model.
Team Principal Christian Horner explained that the focus on evolution, rather than radical redesign, was a strategic decision aimed at maximising performance within the constraints of the current regulations, which are due for a major overhaul in 2026.
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Red Bull’s decision to refine the RB20 is driven by its ongoing championship battle with McLaren, as well as the realities of the sport’s budget cap. Horner insisted that while innovation is key in F1, it must be done with purpose, especially when a major regulatory change is on the horizon.
“In this business you are always juggling and you have to put one foot in front of the other,” said Horner.
“You can’t look too far into the future. The long term in F1 is two and a half months and what we learn this year is relevant for next year.”
Red Bull’s car for 2025 will therefore be an evolution of the current RB20. According to Horner, many components of the 2024 car will be carried over from 2023 due to budget constraints. This approach will allow teams to avoid unnecessary changes unless they bring a significant improvement in performance.
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Preparing for the 2026 regulations and Red Bull’s engine ambitions
Another major factor influencing Red Bull’s decision to stick with an evolution of the RB20 for 2025 is the forthcoming regulations overhaul in 2026. This will include the introduction of Red Bull’s own engine, which is currently being developed by Red Bull Powertrains.
With 2026 marking a new era for the team – one in which it will no longer rely on Honda technology – Red Bull is carefully balancing its short-term performance with its long-term goals.
Developing its own engine is Red Bull’s biggest challenge for 2026. The team has invested heavily in its Red Bull Powertrains division, hiring over 600 people and building a state-of-the-art facility. This investment, while costly, is expected to give Red Bull a competitive advantage.
Horner is optimistic about the team’s engine project, although he acknowledges the scale of the undertaking.
“We’ve created a start-up company, aggressively recruited 600 people, built a factory, rolled out the process and brought together a group of people to work in a Red Bull culture that has been so successful on the chassis side.”
The integration of Red Bull’s chassis and engine engineers has already begun, with Horner noting the benefits of having them working side by side as they design the 2026 car. Red Bull has also partnered with Ford Motor Company, a relationship that Horner believes is proving beneficial to the team’s long-term prospects.
“We also have the advantage of having a great partner in Ford Motor Company and that relationship works very well,” said Horner.
“In the short term it’s bound to be painful, but in the long term it’s an advantage to have everything under one roof.”
Tackling wind tunnel challenges: Bedford’s limitations and the road ahead
Another challenge Red Bull is tackling is the wind tunnel correlation issue that has affected the development of the current RB20. Despite using the same Bedford facility since the team’s inception in 2005, Red Bull has encountered limitations in its aerodynamic testing. While the Bedford wind tunnel has been upgraded over the years, it is not as advanced as some of the more modern facilities used by other teams.
Horner admitted that Red Bull has always been aware of Bedford’s limitations, but as the team pushes the boundaries of aerodynamic performance, those limitations have become more pronounced. Red Bull has already begun construction of a new state-of-the-art wind tunnel at its headquarters in Milton Keynes, although it is not expected to be operational until 2026.
“We’ve always known the limitations of the wind tunnel,” said Horner.
“But I think as we continue to improve the aerodynamics of the cars and get closer to the limits, the limitations will become clearer.”
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F1 wind tunnel debate delays upgrades
The delay in building a new wind tunnel was due to uncertainty over the future of wind tunnel technology in F1. At one point there was talk of banning wind tunnels altogether, with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) potentially replacing them. This uncertainty made Red Bull reluctant to invest in a new facility. However, once it became clear that wind tunnels would remain an integral part of F1 development, Red Bull moved forward with its plans.
“Adrian [Newey] was holding off on asking for a new wind tunnel until there was clarity,” explains Horner.
“But it got to the point where Aston Martin wanted a new tunnel and the FIA changed their position.”
With the regulatory situation now settled, Red Bull’s new wind tunnel is being built to ensure the team remains competitive within the constraints of the budget cap. Horner pointed out that the old Bedford tunnel is highly inefficient under current regulations, making the new facility a vital upgrade.
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Tackling Bedford’s ageing infrastructure
In the meantime, Red Bull will continue to use its 60-year-old Bedford wind tunnel for aerodynamic testing. But the facility’s age poses significant challenges, particularly when it comes to temperature control. Horner described how the tunnel struggles to operate in temperatures below five degrees Celsius or above 25 degrees Celsius, making testing conditions less stable.
“We have a facility that is a 60-year-old wind tunnel. It’s a Cold War relic. It’s been good enough to produce some fantastic cars for us over the years, but it does have its limitations,” says Horner.
Balancing the present with the future
As Red Bull prepares for the 2025 season, the team’s focus remains on balancing short-term performance with long-term goals. By developing the RB20 for another year, Red Bull aims to remain competitive without over committing resources ahead of the major regulatory changes in 2026.
At the same time, the development of Red Bull Powertrains and the construction of a new wind tunnel are critical steps in securing the team’s long-term success.
Horner summarised the approach: “Formula One is about looking forward, but it’s also about keeping your feet firmly on the ground. We’re working hard to ensure that we remain competitive in 2025, while positioning ourselves at the forefront of the next era of the sport in 2026.
For Red Bull Racing, the road to 2026 is as much about careful planning and strategy as it is about cutting-edge technology.
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