Horner hits out at "rushed" 2019 aero changes

Christian Horner has hit out at Formula 1's decision to change the aerodynamic regulations for 2019. Next season, there will be a number of aero changes with the aim of allowing the drivers to follow each other more closely through the corners.

The changes include a simplified front wing with a larger span, a wider and deeper rear wing and simplified front brake ducts with no winglets. However, the changes will come at a cost of lap time, with the FIA's Head of Technical Matters Nikolas Tombazis stating that cars could be 1.5s a lap slower.

"We expect this rule change to be approximately half way to one third less performance than the delta between ’16 and ’17, so we expect to lose about 1.5 seconds maybe," Tombazis said. "It’s a bit difficult to predict exactly the amount of development the teams will put on [the 2019 cars], but we certainly expect to lose performance."

Regulations will also be shaken up for 2021, with a new engine package being discussed for that season onwards. A number of meetings have been held, as Liberty Media get closer to finalising its plans for the new rules at the turn of the decade.

But Horner isn't happy with the 2019 changes, saying that the sport was rushed into making the decision. With the philosophy of the cars being completely changed for next season, Horner says that it is going to cost Red Bull - and the other teams - a lot of money.

“What has been done for 2021 is all good stuff,” said Horner. “The problem is a snapshot of that has been taken, it hasn’t been fully analysed, there’s no proven conclusion from it. It’s been rushed into a set of regulations, it completely conflicts existing regulations. Now they’re scrapping around trying to tidy that up over this weekend.”

“It completely changes the philosophy of the car,” he said. “The front wing will be wider. The point that the air meets the car is the front wing, that then changes everything behind it so suspension, bodywork, absolutely every single component. And we talk about costs and [responsibility] – what’s just been introduced is a completely new concept. It will cost millions and millions of pounds.”

"The changes were rushed after Melbourne because it was a race with not a lot of overtaking,” Horner added. "When has there ever been any overtaking in Melbourne? And we’ve had three great races since then.” I just find it frustrating that decisions are made on zero evidence, zero conclusions, on theories. And the burden of costs is passed [to the teams].”

Fergal Walsh