Horner makes candid Red Bull statement following 2024 failure…….

Horner makes candid Red Bull statement following 2024 failure…….read more

Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing’s team principal, has openly discussed the team’s disappointing performance during the 2024 Formula 1 season. Despite Max Verstappen securing his third consecutive drivers’ title at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Red Bull failed to secure the constructors’ championship, ending their recent period of dominance. This marks the first time since 2021 that Red Bull has missed out on the constructors’ trophy, with McLaren emerging as an unexpected champion for the first time in 26 years. The team also saw their position slip further as Ferrari overtook them in the standings, leaving Red Bull in third place. This is the first time since 2019 that Red Bull has finished outside the top two in the constructors’ championship, highlighting a significant decline from their usual dominance.

Several factors contributed to Red Bull’s struggles in 2024. The team’s pace, which had been exceptional in recent seasons, was noticeably slower compared to their rivals. This decline in performance left Red Bull unable to maintain the level of dominance they had grown accustomed to. Additionally, Sergio Perez, Verstappen’s teammate, struggled to deliver consistent results, which further hampered Red Bull’s chances of securing the constructors’ title. Perez, who had played a pivotal role in Red Bull’s previous successes, was unable to provide the expected support for Verstappen, compounding the team’s challenges throughout the season.

In spite of these setbacks, Horner remains optimistic about the future of Red Bull Racing. Reflecting on the team’s struggles in an interview after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Horner acknowledged the disappointment of finishing third in the standings. However, he also pointed to a key positive that could work in Red Bull’s favor moving forward. According to Horner, the team’s lower position in the 2024 constructors’ standings will result in valuable additional wind tunnel time. This increase in wind tunnel hours is crucial for Red Bull as they focus on developing their car for the 2025 season, especially with the upcoming 2026 regulation changes in mind.

Wind tunnel testing is a vital part of a team’s ability to refine and improve its car’s aerodynamics. The more time a team spends in the wind tunnel, the more it can enhance the performance of its car. The sliding wind tunnel scale, introduced in 2021, allocates aerodynamic testing time to teams based on their position in the constructors’ standings. The lower a team finishes, the more wind tunnel time they are allowed. As a result of their third-place finish in 2024, Red Bull will receive 10 percent more wind tunnel time than McLaren during the first half of 2025 and 5 percent more than Ferrari. This additional time is seen as a significant advantage, particularly as teams start focusing on preparing for the significant regulatory changes expected in 2026.

Horner stressed the importance of these upcoming changes, describing the 2026 regulations as potentially the most significant shift in Formula 1 in decades. With such a major overhaul on the horizon, teams will need to quickly adapt to stay competitive. Red Bull’s additional wind tunnel time could give them an edge in developing a car that meets the new regulations, allowing them to regain their competitive advantage over their rivals. Horner remains hopeful that this extra time will enable Red Bull to improve their car’s performance and put them in a strong position for the future.

While 2024 may have been a challenging year for Red Bull Racing, Horner’s comments suggest that the team is determined to bounce back. The extra wind tunnel time, along with the team’s focus on adapting to the new regulations, could set Red Bull up for success in the coming seasons. The team has already shown an ability to dominate when they are at their best, and Horner is confident that the lessons learned from this season will help them prepare for the exciting challenges ahead. Red Bull will look to capitalize on these advantages as they move forward, ensuring they are well-prepared for the changes that the 2026 season will bring.