Red Bull wants to seize its potential title chance in 2025: While development for the new regulatory era starting in 2026 is important, another title has priority
Red Bull’s technical director Pierre Wache has emphasized that the team will not sacrifice the fight for the 2025 Formula One title – not even to maximize its chances for the new regulatory era the following year.
Red Bull expects a close race at the front with McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes in 2025. The team from Milton Keynes wants to be optimally prepared for the title fight, but, like everyone else, faces the challenge of allocating its resources for 2025 correctly in view of the upcoming revision of the rules.
“The balance depends a lot on what you find,“ ‘If you are making big steps forward for 2026, then there is a big temptation to put a lot of effort into 2026.’
”But if we have a chance to fight for the championship in 2025 – and I think we do – then you never throw away a championship. It will be a difficult decision. We will start the season with one strategy, but it is highly likely to change.”
With current regulations limiting both their financial outlay and aerodynamic testing capabilities, Formula One teams must decide to what extent they prioritize the development of their 2026 car – and that comes at the expense of their current car.
Making the most of new rules can be crucial to a title-winning season, as Brawn GP and Mercedes proved when they won in 2009 and 2014.
However, there are also counterexamples to this strategy: in 2008, for example, BMW-Sauber refrained from a possible title fight with Robert Kubica, but was still unable to develop a competitive car for the following season.
Red Bull less restricted in development
Red Bull managed to secure its fourth consecutive drivers’ title with Max Verstappen in 2024, but was beaten by McLaren and Ferrari in the constructors’ championship. However, this also has advantages for the team in terms of development.
According to the regulations, the aerodynamic test restrictions (including the use of the wind tunnel and CFD simulations) become stricter the more successful a team is. These restrictions are based on the 2024 Constructors’ Championship and apply for the first six months of 2025.
Red Bull uses 768 wind tunnel runs during this period until the end of June, while reigning constructors’ champions McLaren are limited to 672. By way of comparison, the lowest-placed team, Sauber, has a full 1,104 runs at its disposal.
“This can potentially be a big advantage for 2026, and I hope we use it properly,” says Wache. However, the Frenchman warns that resources alone are not everything.
“Just because you have more money or more wind tunnel time doesn’t automatically mean you’ll do better. Otherwise, the teams at the back of the field would always be at the front the following year. That’s not how Formula One works,“ Wache knows.
”But it can be an advantage and we need to use it properly. It’s a positive aspect of our current situation and could prove to be very beneficial.”
