Alpine Eyes Upward with New Aerodynamic Testing Regulations
As the Formula 1 season progresses, Alpine finds itself at the bottom of the constructors’ standings, facing its worst start in years. However, recent amendments to aerodynamic testing restrictions could provide the French team with a vital opportunity for recovery.
Changes in Aerodynamic Testing Allowances
Beginning in the second half of the 2025 season, Formula 1 has adjusted its aerodynamic testing regulations to balance competitive performance. Introduced in 2021, the sliding scale allows teams at the bottom of the standings increased testing allowances, while those at the top face reductions. This reset specifically impacts testing time, critical for developing the new regulations to be implemented in 2026.
The baseline permits teams 320 wind tunnel runs and 2,000 Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tests over a two-month interval. For 2025, Alpine, now at the bottom, will receive 115% of its testing allowance, equating to 368 wind tunnel runs and 2,300 CFD tests.
Teams Affected by the Regulations
Winners:
-
Alpine: The team benefits significantly with a total of 368 wind tunnel runs and enhanced CFD testing. This gives them an edge in rectifying their poor performance this season.
- Aston Martin: As a customer team of Mercedes, Aston Martin’s struggles have positioned them to receive 105% of the testing allowance, translating to 336 wind tunnel runs.
Losers:
-
Williams: After finishing ninth in the 2024 season, improvements this year have led to a dramatic drop in testing allowances, relegating their capacity to 90% of the baseline.
- Mercedes: Having moved up to second place, the team’s testing allowance has been curtailed to 75%, resulting in a loss of valuable wind tunnel time.
Current Testing Allowances Overview
| Position | Team | Multiplier | WT Runs | Wind-On Time (Hrs) | CFD Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | McLaren | 70% | 224 | 56 | 1400 |
| 2 | Mercedes | 75% | 240 | 60 | 1500 |
| 3 | Ferrari | 80% | 256 | 64 | 1600 |
| 4 | Red Bull | 85% | 272 | 68 | 1700 |
| 5 | Williams | 90% | 288 | 72 | 1800 |
| 8 | Aston Martin | 105% | 336 | 84 | 2100 |
| 10 | Alpine | 115% | 368 | 92 | 2400 |
| Cadillac | 115% | 368 | 92 | 2300 |
Conclusion
The new aerodynamic testing policies set to take effect in the latter half of 2025 open pivotal pathways for teams like Alpine and Aston Martin to regain competitiveness ahead of significant regulatory changes in 2026. As teams adjust their strategies accordingly, the outcomes of these changes will be closely monitored as the season unfolds.
