Red Bull has announced the anticipated launch date for its new Formula 1 wind tunnel.

“Regarding the timeline, it’s not ready yet," he informed the media following an inquiry from Motorsport.com. "It’s something that will come online sometime during next season. Is it first quarter, second quarter, or third quarter? We’ll have to wait and see.”

He noted that the exact date will hinge on several factors.

“It will depend on how much time we require to make it operational first and then to finalize the calibration work. So most likely for the latter part of the 2027 car, and hopefully for the majority of the ‘28 car.”

Mekies acknowledged that Red Bull is currently utilizing what is probably the oldest wind tunnel in F1, despite the triumphs the team has achieved with it.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing Team Principal

“Even though the wind tunnel we are currently using has yielded remarkable results over the past few years, I believe you are right to point out that it is likely the oldest one on the grid.”

Red Bull secured four consecutive drivers’ titles with Max Verstappen from 2021 to 2024 utilizing the Bedford facility. In fact, Red Bull's 2023 season was the most dominant in the history of the championship - quite impressive for an old model.

Mekies anticipates that the new tunnel will provide the team with an advantage, but results won't be immediate.

“If you transition to a state-of-the-art facility, and the team has genuinely aimed to design and now produce something that will place us back at the very top in that arena, naturally you expect a competitive edge from that.”

“So it won’t deliver results the moment we activate everything, but it will certainly unlock potential and give our talented individuals in the aero departments a new avenue to share their ideas.”