Ferrari and Red Bull face major cuts to aero testing allocation amid wind tunnel time and CFD runs. Red Bull and Ferrari receive significantly less aero testing allocation.

Scuderia Ferrari and Red Bull have encountered various challenges recently, but their strong early-season performances have led to a significant reduction in wind tunnel time and computational fluid dynamics runs for the remainder of the 2024 Formula 1 campaign. In contrast, Mercedes and McLaren, who have shown competitive form in recent races, will benefit from more development time.

In the previous decades, Formula 1 teams could test as much as they wanted, with Ferrari often running extensive test sessions with legendary German driver Michael Schumacher during their dominant early 2000s era. However, in the interest of cost-saving, the management of Formula 1 introduced a ban on in-season on-track testing. Now, teams have limited opportunities for such activities, including Pirelli tire tests, tests with older cars, and filming days.

When aerodynamic development was unrestricted, some teams operated their wind tunnels around the clock, even using multiple wind tunnels simultaneously. However, three years ago, Formula 1 implemented a stricter measure that limits both wind tunnel runs and CFD hours. This sliding scale rule allocates less development time to the top teams in the Constructors’ Championship, giving those further down the standings a relative advantage.

The FIA considers two key dates to determine the allocation for each team. The team leading the championship, or in the top spot on June 30, receives only 70% of the baseline allowance, with increments of 5% for each subsequent position, up to 115% for the team in 10th place. With Red Bull currently leading the Constructors’ Championship, they are restricted to just 70% of the baseline allocation.

Despite McLaren overtaking the Maranello team in the standings ahead of this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, the system uses the order as of June 30, meaning the Italian side will have the second-least amount of testing time, at 75%. Mercedes, despite their recent successes, will benefit from considerably more development time in the latter half of the year.

Alpine, Williams, and Sauber, who occupy the last three positions in the standings, have accumulated just 11, 4, and 0 points, respectively. While their current situation may seem disappointing, this lower standing allows them significantly more wind tunnel and CFD time through the end of 2024, which could help them close the gap to their direct rivals, such as Aston Martin, Red Bull’s sister team, and Haas.