Horner Slams 2019 Wing Changes

Red Bull boss Christian Horner has criticised the 2019 F1 aerodynamic model. This model is theoretically designed to improve overtaking. According to him, the entire model itself is based on “immature research”. He believes that it was a mistake for the plans to be fast tracked through.

Red Bull was among the several teams that voted against the proposals on April 30. While on one side, Mercedes, Ferrari, Williams, Force India and Sauber voted in support of the FIA/F1 proposals. On the other end of the spectrum, Red Bull, McLaren, Renault, Toro Rosso and Haas opposed it.

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

Horner didn’t expect the proposals to be passed, but Mercedes and Ferrari’s backing was crucial.

“I find it a little surprising,” Horner said. “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 firmly believes that the FIA and F1 must explore 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.”