Formula 1 now knows how the wind tunnel time and simulations will be distributed among the teams for the remainder of 2025. The adjustment, which is made mid-season under the Aerodynamic Testing Regulations (ATR) system, seeks to balance technical development by rewarding those who are furthest behind in the standings. Alpine and Aston Martin are the big winners, while Williams and Mercedes are clearly disadvantaged.
The wind tunnel beneficiaries
Alpine is the biggest beneficiary of all. After dropping from sixth place in 2024 to last place in the current standings, its development percentage has risen from 95% to 115%, giving it the largest allocation of wind tunnel and simulation time for the next six months. This advantage could be key for development in 2026 with the new regulations.
Aston Martin is one of the big winners: the team now led by Adrian Newey was eighth in the championship at the time of the cut-off, after finishing fifth last season. This has allowed it to increase its allocation from 90% to 105%, a substantial increase that will enable it to improve for this year and next season.
Williams and Carlos Sainz, disadvantaged
Williams is one of the teams most affected by the good start to the season. The legendary team has been one of the surprises of 2025, sitting fifth after finishing ninth in 2024. However, this performance has cost them dearly: their percentage has fallen from 110% to 90%, which leaves them with less margin to continue developing their car.
Despite this, its director James Vowles plays down the importance: “It’s a blow, yes, but not a huge one. The important thing is how efficiently you use those hours. We’ve learned to make the most of the time available.” According to Vowles, the team has found ways to maintain its productivity even with fewer hours in the wind tunnel.
Mercedes and McLaren for 2026
Among the big teams, Mercedes is the one that comes out worst after its great result in Canada, where it finished second in the Constructors’ Championship (it has already lost that place in Austria). This has reduced its number of hours and puts it below the percentage it would have had if it had remained in third place.
McLaren remains unchanged, winning the Constructors’ Championship in 2024 and continuing to lead at the cut-off point, i.e. with 70% of the base value. Far from worrying, Woking is already focusing most of its resources on the 2026 car. “We’ve captured everything we wanted from the 2025 car. What comes next is already in the manufacturing phase,” explained Neil Houldey, technical director.
The new distribution also reaffirms that the Cadillac team—new in 2026—has been operating since March under the same parameters as the last-placed team. This guarantees them more testing time to prepare for their entry, although it will be difficult for them to optimize it to the maximum.
With the new wind tunnel hours allocated, the teams can now begin to refine their strategy to optimize the car for next season. This is good news for Aston Martin, one of the favorites for next season and with more wind tunnel hours to its credit, which could give them a vital advantage at the start of the next world championship, where they will be aiming to fight for everything.