Horner wants F1 team talks to ditch shark fins
Red Bull boss Christian Horner wants Formula 1 teams to get together to discuss ditching the shark fins from Formula 1's 2017 designs, amid growing criticism that they have ruined the look of the cars.
Photo by: XPB Images
An opening in the bodywork regulations for this year has meant most teams have pursued the development of shark fins to help condition airflow to the rear wing.
Furthermore, some teams have also fitted high T-wings to try to eke out even more performance from this area.
The move has not gone down well with fans, and even F1's top sporting man Ross Brawn has said he is eager for something to be done to get rid of them.
Horner, who proposed last year that teams agree to change the rules to ditch them, has been one of their biggest critics, and he hopes there is still time to get something done before the season starts.
"The cars on track look great, they're giving the drivers a harder time," Horner told Motorsport.com. "The only disappointment for me is that it would have been nice to get rid of these shark fins and moustache-like wings!
"Maybe there's still time to address that, because it's a shame it detracts slightly from the aesthetics of all the cars, and everybody would be affected in the same way.
"It would be nice if we could get that nailed. But I think overall definitely the cars look a step forward, they're going faster, our drivers aren't giving any feedback of it being different to follow a car ahead, so I don't think racing will really be that affected."
Under F1's governance procedures, any change to the technical regulation now to outlaw the shark fins would require unanimous approval.
While some teams may be reluctant to give them up, Horner thinks it important that people consider the impact on the sport rather than their own competitive interests.
"We need to take a sensible pill," he said. "Every aerodynamicist in every team I'm sure would argue – ours included – that they should be there, but if you look at the bigger picture and the aesthetics of Formula 1, it would be right to try to get rid of them."
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