F1 rules hand Max Verstappen and George Russell six-month 2025 title race advantage
F1 rules hand Max Verstappen and George Russell six-month 2025 title race advantage
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Due to the way Formula 1 rules work, McLaren's 2024 title success comes at a cost on several fronts. First of all, there is a rather literal extra cost. FIA entry fees are calculated based on the number of points scored the previous season, so McLaren have to pay more than everyone else just to be allowed the chance to try to defend their crown.
But then there is also a sporting disadvantage to be contended with. Since 2021, the rules have dictated that teams are restricted to a certain amount of wind tunnel testing time over the course of a season. It works on a sliding scale, with the team at the top of the standings afforded the least amount of time in the wind tunnel, while the team that is at the bottom has the most. The idea is to close the performance gap between the front and back of the grid while also cutting down on energy costs as F1 targets a net zero future.
It works on a six-monthly rotation, meaning up until June 30 this year, McLaren will have 45 percent less time to spend in the wind tunnel compared to Sauber, who were rock bottom at the end of the 2024 season. That equates to 840 hours of running time for the champions, compared to 1,380 hours for the latter.
The good news for the Woking-based squad is that, between July 1 and December 31, it will be recalculated depending on where each team is in the championship. So if they are behind their rivals, they will have more time in the wind tunnel to help them find performance, and if they are still top then they won't care that they have less.
