Verstappen: Red Bull’s Problems Go Beyond Outdated Wind Tunnel

Verstappen: Red Bull's Struggles Not Solely Due to Old Wind Tunnel

Max Verstappen has dismissed the notion that Red Bull Racing’s current Formula 1 challenges can be wholly blamed on its outdated wind tunnel facility, saying the team’s handling issues are more complex than a single technical factor.

The reigning world champion has faced a bumpy start to the 2025 campaign, with the RB21 struggling to match the performance and tyre efficiency of a resurgent McLaren. While Verstappen managed a lights-to-flag victory in Japan, he finished a disappointing sixth in Bahrain—on a track that exposed the car's weakness in rear tyre degradation.

Old Infrastructure, Familiar Issues

After the Bahrain Grand Prix, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner admitted the team is still grappling with some of the same technical inconsistencies that cost them ground in last season's title race. Much of that has been linked to limitations in the team’s ageing wind tunnel at Milton Keynes, which has reportedly failed to simulate certain aerodynamic behaviours the car exhibits on track.

A new facility is under construction but isn’t expected to be operational until 2027, leaving the team reliant on its current infrastructure for the foreseeable future.

Verstappen: More Than Just a Wind Tunnel Problem

Speaking to Dutch media, Verstappen acknowledged that the wind tunnel is far from perfect—but argued that the RB21’s performance problems cannot be solely attributed to it.

"Of course, we're not entirely happy with it and we're working on a new wind tunnel," he said. “It just takes time, but we already knew that. It's not a new thing this season.”

Verstappen pointed out that the team has previously achieved success using the same facility, including championship-winning campaigns in 2022 and 2023.

“We saw back in 2023 that you can't detect certain things in the wind tunnel,” he added. “But the team has experience with that, so they know which direction they should develop in. The only issue is that they can't perfect some small details.”

Small Details, Big Impact

While those "small details" may seem minor, in the razor-thin margins of modern Formula 1 competition, they can define whether a team is contending for wins or playing catch-up.

McLaren's strong form in the early rounds—particularly its superior tyre management on abrasive circuits like Sakhir—has raised concerns within Red Bull. With Ferrari also making strides, Verstappen and Red Bull are finding themselves under pressure in both the Drivers' and Constructors' standings.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Asked whether Red Bull’s current technical struggles have him concerned about the major regulation overhaul coming in 2026, Verstappen was pragmatic.

“Well, that's a completely different car, so you can't compare that,” he said. “It could be a different team that suddenly gets everything right.”

With a fresh power unit formula and aerodynamic rules arriving in 2026, the performance order could see a dramatic reshuffle, and Verstappen appears mindful of the unpredictability such changes bring.

Staying Focused Amid Uncertainty

Despite the early-season setbacks and limitations in simulation tools, Red Bull remains within striking distance at the front of the grid. However, with the championship fight tightening and rivals showing clear improvements, the team faces growing pressure to adapt quickly.

As Verstappen noted, Red Bull’s experience and historical strengths remain intact—but in an evolving F1 landscape, staying ahead means more than relying on past formulas.

Stay tuned to The Horizons Times for in-depth analysis of Red Bull’s development challenges, Verstappen’s title defense, and all the latest from the Formula 1 paddock.