Red Bull Special Advisor Helmut Marko says there will be big changes ahead at the drinks-backed concern following the death of founder Dietrich Mateschitz. Mateschitz passed away last month following a long illness, and though the future of Red Bull Racing and AlphaTauri in F1 is not thought to be in question, Marko did say that big changes could be expected, as Red Bull Racing previously had greater autonomy than some of the firm’s other brands. "Certainly a lot will change," Marko told Auto Motor und Sport . "It was de facto autocracy, but Red Bull Racing is the group's strongest and most efficient marketing tool. "We have worked very independently in the past. We were the only ones who didn't have to follow certain company rules. "This autonomy existed with the consent of Mateschitz, but it has already leaked out that the new management wants to continue Formula 1 activities. Like now, with a relatively strong independence."
Marko slams 'idiotic' wind tunnel situation
Marko also touched on the future of Red Bull's investment in facilities, with a new wind tunnel currently under construction at the Red Bull factory in Milton Keynes. The team are currently still using the same wind tunnel that they had inherited when Red Bull bought out Jaguar in 2004. Located in Bedford, some 20 miles away from the Red Bull factory, it had previously belonged to the defunct Arrows team. The facility has a history dating back to World War II, when it was used for aircraft development, and Marko lamented its antiquated and impractical nature. "The problem with our wind tunnel is that it is a post-war product that was set up by the Ministry of Defence, and cannot be demolished as it is a listed building," said Marko. "It is insanely long and not well insulated, and it takes a while to heat up. When it's cold outside, it takes even longer. "That's why we're building a new wind tunnel on our site, which is idiotic, because the development trend is moving towards CFD simulations. That's another 50 million [Euros]. "The building is already there, and the [new] wind tunnel will go there, but it will probably take another two to three years before everything is ready."
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