Red Bull faces its first season in Formula 1 without Adrian Newey with more uncertainties than before. Helmut Marko and Max Verstappen have made cautious statements, acknowledging that the RB21 is unlikely to dominate as its predecessors did. This is not mere strategy; the fierce competition from McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes in the last season exposed vulnerabilities in Red Bull’s 2024 technical project. The challenges faced by Pierre Waché’s technical department are anything but trivial.
The RB21 will not be an evolution of the previous design but a car that must overcome the issues that limited the potential of the last creation from the Stratford-Upon-Avon genius. Improvements are needed in how the car handles uneven asphalt and curbs, where the racing blue machine hopped like a cricket. Max Verstappen has also frequently criticized the car’s lack of “interconnection” between the front and rear axles. These challenges are compounded by the outdated Bedford wind tunnel, a relic from World War II.
The team’s new wind tunnel is under construction and, according to the French technical director, could become operational in time for the 2026 season, when the new regulatory framework will significantly reshape Formula 1. As a result, the first car to benefit from this facility will likely debut in 2027. This creates a considerable challenge, especially with the expected technical disruptions of the coming year.
Red Bull must manage this situation carefully to avoid starting at a disadvantage under the new technical regulations, which include changes to both power units and aero-mechanical systems. The future Ford power unit also remains a significant unknown. All these factors already justify the considerable uncertainty within the multi-title-winning team. For this reason, Red Bull must now capitalize on its ownership of two teams to accelerate progress.
F1, Red Bull: The synergy frowned upon in the paddock
For years, Red Bull’s ownership of two F1 teams has been criticized by rivals, especially those in the midfield. The so-called “junior team” has often drawn upon the parent team’s wealth of knowledge. Now, AlphaTauri can, in some ways, come to the aid of its Austrian counterpart. The strategic alliance between the two entities will be stronger than in the recent past for a simple reason: by pooling their resources, they can gain a tangible advantage over competitors.
Consider the aerodynamic testing allowances granted to both teams. In the past, the transfer of technical know-how (gleaned from on-track performance) between Red Bull and the former Minardi team was based on a different balance of power. The uncertainties outlined here necessitate a “mutual support” approach between the two teams. This arrangement has long been a source of protest from other teams, with complaints often directed at the Austrian group. Such moves will likely spark fresh anger among known rivals.
For example, McLaren’s Zak Brown, a vocal critic, expressed significant concern about this alliance a year ago: “I’m worried about this partnership. There’s a Team A and a Team B, but they share the same ownership, which places their relationship on a different level. For us, it raises concerns about the integrity of the F1 environment. Such arrangements are not allowed in other major sports, and I’d like the pinnacle of motorsport to address this.”
Brown’s foresight was notable, though the FIA has remained silent on the matter, seemingly confident in its ability to oversee the partnership’s dynamics. However, evidence from the 2024 season, where the FIA struggled to enforce rules and overlooked potential irregularities flagged by rival teams, suggests otherwise.
Moreover, the FIA’s limited personnel raises doubts about its ability to monitor the two teams effectively and prevent them from exploiting their unique collaboration—the only one of its kind in F1. Red Bull’s decision to acquire a second team was a well-calculated move, and the alliance between Milton Keynes and Faenza remains an advantage only Red Bull can fully leverage amid the upcoming technological challenges and diminished technical certainties.
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