Verstappen favours rule restricting Red Bull’s wind tunnel usage

Max Verstappen believes it's “correct” that Red Bull has less wind tunnel testing time compared to their rivals amid their ongoing success.

Formula 1's regulations outline that those who finish higher in the Constructors' Championship have less development time for the following campaign.

Red Bull emerged victorious in last year's standings and also sealed this season's title.

Its wind tunnel allocation was decreased even further this year after it was found to have breached the 2021 budget cap.

Last time out at the United States Grand Prix, Red Bull won with Max Verstappen, while Mercedes and McLaren applied pressure throughout the race.

It led to suggestions that rival teams are beginning to close in on the Milton Keynes-based squad.

Speaking to media including RacingNews365.com, Verstappen voiced intrigue over next year's pecking order amid Red Bull's restrictions.

“At the moment, they're catching, and it's going to be interesting to see where everyone is going to be next year at the first race,” he said.

“Those are the rules, when you are the leading team, you have less wind tunnel time. Honestly, I think it's, it's correct, it's fine.

“It’s good for the sport. Time will tell how competitive we're all going to be next year.

“The good thing is that the rules are not really changing. So whatever you do now you still learn.

“I think you're learning a lot for next year anyway. So it's not like you're focusing fully on this year and then suddenly need to rebuild for next year.”

Verstappen also praised Mercedes' ideology of seeking to understand its current car rather than simply throwing resources at its challenger for next year.

“It's absolutely correct what Mercedes is doing as well to try and understand more about their car,” he said.

“But at the same time, we’re working on next year.

“We're also trying to continuously improve our package that we've got at the moment.”