What happened: Red Bull will not bring its new wind tunnel in Milton Keynes online until sometime during the 2027 Formula 1 season, team principal Laurent Mekies confirmed ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix. The facility was initially planned to be operational for 2026, but calibration requirements will push its debut back. Mekies indicated the tunnel will likely aid development on the second half of the 2027 car before fully supporting the 2028 chassis.

Why it matters: Red Bull continues to operate out of its Bedford facility, which ranks as the oldest wind tunnel on the grid. While the aging infrastructure powered four consecutive drivers' championships from 2021 to 2024, the delayed transition extends the team's aerodynamic disadvantage against modern competitor facilities. Transitioning to the new complex is intended to unlock design headroom under future technical regulations.

What to watch: Red Bull will complete installation and calibration in Milton Keynes over the coming year before phasing in aerodynamic testing during 2027.