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Horner hits out at "rushed" 2019 aero changes

Published on 11 May 2018 13:52
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By: Fergal Walsh

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

TimberVD

Posts: 42

Leave things alone and the pack ultimately gets closer together, which is what Wolff said a long time ago. These continual changes, that's what is not good for the sport. I understand they were handed a really bad business model, both on and off the track, but you can't change the whole thing thi... [Read more]

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May 11 2018 - 19:12

F1 News

Replies (6)

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
I expected as much. This is a move that will hit all teams pretty hard in the bank, and it will probably affect teams with advanced front wings the most. Not ideal for Red Bull.
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- May 11 2018 - 16:00
Bhurt

Posts: 320
He's pretty much spot on.
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- May 11 2018 - 16:13
RogerF1

Posts: 501
Its a crazy move given the magnitude of changes to cover for 2021 with power units, that alone will be very expensive but for the good I hope. It’s not so bad at the moment that it couldn’t have waited.
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- May 11 2018 - 16:51
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Most importantly its a very premature move. This is the de facto first year with the current regulations, not counting 2017 since major components like shark fins and T-wings were removed. Give it time first and then consider it before rushing off. Melbourne is a horrible reference for how well new regulations work, its a very unique race.
  + 0
  
  May 11 2018 - 17:15
siggy74

Posts: 194
This is fast becoming a joke, continually changing rules isnt going to help the lower teams catch up to the top teams. It isnt going to help the over taking. Unless the money cap is in place the top teams will still be the top teams with the best kit and best drivers ;p

At this rate We will end up with 20 odd cars with all the same power, aero and such. just making a train around the track :(

Horner is right here, leave things alone, dont rush into changing things.

We have had so much fun to watch, we have had it all with the swings and heart break down to the simple silly Roman statement of buttons and wind ( no gov it was the wall that moved) :)
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- May 11 2018 - 17:34
TimberVD

Posts: 42
Leave things alone and the pack ultimately gets closer together, which is what Wolff said a long time ago. These continual changes, that's what is not good for the sport. I understand they were handed a really bad business model, both on and off the track, but you can't change the whole thing this quickly again.

Horner again, spot on. Says it how it is.
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- May 11 2018 - 19:12