Formula 1 returns from its summer break with limited technical updates at Zandvoort, as only Red Bull, Alpine, and Sauber introduce changes to their cars.
Why it matters: Most teams are strategically conserving resources for the revolutionary 2026 season, which will bring all-new car designs under revised regulations. The mandatory summer shutdown, prohibiting factory work, further tempered development efforts, resulting in a sparse update slate for the Dutch Grand Prix.
Under the cost cap, committing engineering manpower to updates that offer only marginal short-term gains makes less sense when preparing for a completely fresh rule set. Consequently, teams like McLaren, Ferrari, Mercedes, Aston Martin, Haas, Racing Bulls, and Williams have paused upgrades, effectively drawing a line under their 2024 development.
The updates:
- Red Bull: A subtle, targeted adjustment to the RB21’s front wing. The team extended the chords on the front wing flaps to generate additional load, designed specifically for Zandvoort’s high-downforce demands. This new element was trialed only by Yuki Tsunoda in Friday’s opening practice, while Max Verstappen ran the current-spec wing.
- Alpine: Reworked its A524’s rear brake duct furniture, introducing new profile winglets. These aim to improve rear wheel wake management, crucial for cornering stability and straight-line efficiency.
- Sauber: Introduced an updated rear brake duct vane on its C45. This alters airflow around the car, particularly how air interacts with the diffuser and rear wheels, with the goal of improving balance and rear-end consistency—an area that has challenged the team this season.
What's next: With most teams holding back at Zandvoort, the development race for 2025 is clearly winding down. Red Bull, Alpine, and Sauber’s refinements are minor, focused on optimization rather than transformation. The real engineering battles are already shifting toward 2026, when F1’s new aero and hybrid regulations are set to reset the competitive order. Fans should expect only sporadic and incremental upgrades as teams save their biggest ideas for the sport’s next revolution.