Red Bull will certainly be wounded in 2023, with the team set to receive significantly less aerodynamic testing time than the rest of the grid.
Under the current regulations, the amount of time which a team is permitted to spend using a wind tunnel over the course of the season is scaled down based on finishing positions in the constructors’ championship.
This means that for 2023, Williams are set to receive the most testing time, while Red Bull are in line for the least, with those teams sat at each end of the final championship standings.
In addition to this, Red Bull’s punishment for their breach of the 2021 cost cap will see ten per cent of their testing time for next year taken away, leaving them with a staggering 27 per cent less testing time than third placed Mercedes.
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Team principal for the Silver Arrows Toto Wolff has told reporters than he hopes his team can take advantage of his their advantage over the champions, while they seek a return to the top after an underwhelming year.
“I think how the aerodynamic regulations are designed, and the penalty that they’ve gotten, it’s 25 per cent less wind tunnel and that can have an effect,” he suggested.
“The way that the regulations, the ATR restrictions, have been set in place means that there are teams that are further back who can really make a big jump compared to the front runners.
“That’s also the reason why we will see much closer championships in the future because if you are last, you will have 40 per cent more.
“So, clearly that is an advantage that you have to utilise. Is it a given that we can utilise it? Who knows?”
The Austrian has suggested that he is pleased by his teams resurgence in recent weeks, with the Silver Arrows finally picking up their first win of the season as part of a one-two in Brazil.
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Mercedes closing the gap on Ferrari could be put down to the Scuderia’s decision to focus their attention on developing their 2023 car, which Wolff is aware of, stating that the strength of Mercedes rivals may prevent them from returning to the top next year.
“I’m a glass half empty guy, and kind of never believe that the job that we’re doing is good enough. I’m not sure at all whether we can bounce back to a position where we compete for championships, because you need to acknowledge that the competition is strong.
“But we will do everything in our power, everything, to set our objectives high and try to reach them.”