Skip to main content

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Recommended for you

Ollie Bearman admits F2 did not prepare him for brutal reality of Ferrari F1 debut

Formula 1
Canadian GP
Ollie Bearman admits F2 did not prepare him for brutal reality of Ferrari F1 debut

Why Max Verstappen’s Nurburgring Mercedes is causing controversy

NLS
Why Max Verstappen’s Nurburgring Mercedes is causing controversy

Scott Dixon “quietly comfortable” ahead of Indy 500 qualifying

IndyCar
110th Running of the Indianapolis 500
Scott Dixon “quietly comfortable” ahead of Indy 500 qualifying

Francesco Bagnaia: “Utter nonsense” to think MotoGP riders cannot influence Safety Commission

MotoGP
Catalan GP
Francesco Bagnaia: “Utter nonsense” to think MotoGP riders cannot influence Safety Commission

Pedro Acosta sends KTM to the top in Barcelona despite “bittersweet” feeling

MotoGP
Catalan GP
Pedro Acosta sends KTM to the top in Barcelona despite “bittersweet” feeling

KTM will "fight" to retain Tech3 as satellite MotoGP team

MotoGP
Catalan GP
KTM will "fight" to retain Tech3 as satellite MotoGP team

Robert Shwartzman says it's "pretty tough" to watch Indy 500 from sidelines after 2025 pole

IndyCar
110th Running of the Indianapolis 500
Robert Shwartzman says it's "pretty tough" to watch Indy 500 from sidelines after 2025 pole

Jorge Martin calls for Barcelona safety improvements after “dangerous” MotoGP crash

MotoGP
Catalan GP
Jorge Martin calls for Barcelona safety improvements after “dangerous” MotoGP crash
Breaking news

2019 F1 wing changes based on "immature research" - Horner

Red Bull boss Christian Horner says that the 2019 F1 aerodynamic package designed to improve overtaking is based on "immature research", and believes it was a mistake for the plans to be fast tracked through.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB14
Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing RB14
Ted Kravitz, Sky TV and Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing Team Principal
Christian Horner, Team Principal, Red Bull Racing, and the Red Bull team on the pit wall
Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing Team Principal
Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing RB14
Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing RB14 with aero sensors
Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing RB14 with aero sensors
Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing RB14

Red Bull was one of several teams to vote against the proposals in the F1 Commission e-vote on April 30, the last day for regulation changes for next season.

It's understood that Mercedes, Ferrari, Williams, Force India and Sauber voted in support of the jointly tabled FIA/F1 proposals, while Red Bull, McLaren, Renault, Toro Rosso and Haas were opposed.

Some observers have suggested that certain teams were keen to see a rule shake-up that would force a reset with new concepts for 2019.

Horner admits that he didn't expect the proposals to be passed, but the backing of Mercedes and Ferrari proved crucial.

"I find it a little surprising," Horner told Motorsport.com. "Going from the Strategy Group where no one supported it to a week later a couple of big teams supporting it, it was amazing.

"The regulations have been rushed through, a lot of them are in conflict with existing regulations, so there's going to be a meeting on Sunday to tidy it up, whether that's achievable or not.

"The problem is that it's very immature research, it's focussed on 2021, and so there's no guarantees that it's going to have the desired impact that's required. Cherry-picking invariably never works.

"But in the mean time it's a completely new car, because obviously the front wing dictates everything that goes over the car.

"So everything changes for next year. The cost involved in that is absolutely enormous. For some of the smaller teams it's going to have a much bigger impact fiscally."

Horner is adamant that the FIA and F1 should look at other ways of improving the racing.

"When you look at the first four races, Melbourne was a static race, but it always is. The last three races have been fantastic. It's better to look at circuit layouts and the role that tyre degradation can or can't play in a race.

"For me it's not been well thought through, it's been rushed through, and the consequence of that is no guarantee to address the issues that they're looking at, and a huge amount of cost. And inevitably the grid will separate again."

Despite his frustration, Horner is confident that his team will take the changes in their stride.

"To be honest, it's a great challenge for the aerodynamicists, so we don't have any fear of what those regulations present.

"It just seems entirely unnecessary to be effectively creating a new concept of car for '19 and '20, and then to do it all again in '21, at a time when we're supposed to be being responsible about the cost drivers in F1."

 

Previous article Spanish GP: Bottas leads FP1 by nearly a second
Next article McLaren's striking Spanish GP upgrade in detail

Top Comments

Latest news