Red Bull is preparing to introduce its new Formula 1 wind tunnel during the 2027 season, with team principal Laurent Mekies outlining when the facility could begin contributing to car development. The Milton Keynes-based team expects to use the new infrastructure for the later stages of its RB23 development programme, although the greatest benefits are likely to emerge during preparations for its 2028 F1 car.
The investment represents an important step for Red Bull, which has managed to produce remarkable performance recoveries over the past two seasons despite relying on one of the oldest wind tunnels in Formula 1. However, Laurent Mekies has warned that the new facility will not deliver an immediate competitive advantage, with calibration and correlation work required before the team can fully exploit its potential.
Red Bull’s remarkable F1 recoveries despite ageing infrastructure
Over the past two Formula 1 seasons, Red Bull has developed a remarkable ability to recover from difficult situations, both in terms of outright performance and its position in the World Championship standings. The team has repeatedly transformed its competitiveness after struggling during the earlier stages of a campaign.
In 2025, Max Verstappen managed to recover approximately 100 points on the McLaren drivers, who had appeared destined to fight exclusively among themselves for the Drivers’ Championship until the summer. The Dutch driver ultimately missed out on a fifth world title by just two points.
A similar turnaround followed in 2026, although Red Bull initially faced an even more difficult situation. The RB22 endured a disastrous start to the season, with the team battling Haas both on track and in the Constructors’ Championship standings during the opening races.
Under Laurent Mekies, however, Red Bull completely transformed the direction of its campaign, producing another impressive recovery. The scale of the turnaround was particularly notable given the difficulties encountered during the opening phase of the championship.
Repeating the championship comeback attempted 12 months earlier proved impossible. Mercedes had been too strong during the first half of the season and maintained a consistently high level of performance, helped by an almost flawless Andrea Kimi Antonelli from the Chinese Grand Prix through to Mexico.
Nevertheless, Red Bull’s progress demonstrated how much the team could still achieve with its existing technical infrastructure. The Max Verstappen challenge continued despite the limitations of its ageing aerodynamic development facilities.
Laurent Mekies explains why Red Bull needs its new wind tunnel
All of Red Bull’s recent achievements have been accomplished using an ageing wind tunnel, which Laurent Mekies has described as probably the oldest facility on the Formula 1 grid. The team is now preparing a modern replacement at its Milton Keynes headquarters, designed to strengthen its aerodynamic development capabilities.
“The wind tunnel we use has ultimately produced extraordinary results over recent years, but it is fair to say that it is probably the oldest facility on the entire grid,” Laurent Mekies explained. “Consequently, by moving to a state-of-the-art facility, which the team has sought to design and build with the aim of bringing us back to the forefront in this area as well, it is natural to expect a competitive advantage.”
The new wind tunnel is expected to provide Red Bull’s aerodynamic department with more advanced tools for developing its Formula 1 cars. However, Laurent Mekies has stressed that the transition from the existing facility will require considerable preparation before the new infrastructure can deliver its full potential.
The team will need several weeks to establish the correct correlation between wind tunnel results and the car’s behaviour, identify suitable operating parameters and ensure the facility becomes an effective development tool. Only after this process can Red Bull expect to exploit the advantages offered by the new infrastructure.
Red Bull confirms 2027 wind tunnel timeline and RB23 development plans
The first indications regarding the new Red Bull wind tunnel’s operational timetable have now emerged. The facility is expected to enter service at some point during 2027, although the team has not yet established a precise launch date.
Laurent Mekies explained that the first advantages should become apparent during the later development stages of the RB23, Red Bull’s 2027 Formula 1 car. The 2028 challenger, meanwhile, is expected to be the first car to benefit from the new facility across most of its development programme.
“Everything will not arrive as soon as we switch on the machinery, but it will certainly allow us to unlock new potential and give the highly talented people working in our aerodynamic department another tool to develop and put their ideas into practice,” Laurent Mekies said.
The French team principal also made clear that several important steps must still be completed before the facility can become operational. Although Red Bull is targeting 2027, the precise timing will depend on the completion of the necessary technical work: “As for the timing, the facility is not ready yet. It will become operational at an unspecified point next season. Will it be in the first, second or third quarter? We will see. It will depend on the time needed to complete the calibration work and make it operational, as well as carrying out all the necessary checks.”
The uncertainty surrounding the opening date means Red Bull cannot yet determine exactly how much of the RB23 development programme will benefit from the new wind tunnel. Nevertheless, the team expects the facility to become increasingly important as work progresses towards its 2028 challenger.
“It is therefore likely that the new wind tunnel will be used for the second part of the 2027 car project and, hopefully, for most of the development of the 2028 car,” Laurent Mekies concluded.
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