Horner picks apart 'rushed and immature' 2019 aero changes

Red Bull's Christian Horner was in the camp of those who opposed the aerodynamic changes Formula 1 will introduce in 2019 following a vote last week by the F1 Commission.

The changes include a wider simpler front wing destined to decrease turbulent air in the wake of a car, therefore allowing for closer racing.

But according to Horner, who opposed the tweaks along with McLaren, Renault, Toro Rosso and Haas, and was very surprised they were voted through, the new regulations are the result of a rushed and immature research process.

"Sometimes this sport has the ability to shoot itself in the foot,” Horner told Sky Sports.

"The work that has been done for 2021 is all good stuff, the problem is a snapshot of that has been taken and hasn’t been fully analysed and there are no proven conclusions from it.

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"It has then been rushed into a set of regulations that completely conflict with existing regulations so they are now scrapping around trying to sort that out this weekend.

"It completely changes the philosophy of the car because the front wing will be wider and different.

"The point that the air meets the air is the front wing and that then changes everything behind it: the suspension, the bodywork, absolutely every single component."

Horner also took issue with the costs associated with changes, which defeat the purpose of keeping spending in check and only further burden team's budgets.

"We talk about costs and being responsible but what has just been introduced is a completely new concept which will cost millions and millions of pounds.

"It was rushed after Melbourne because there was not a lot of overtaking – when has there ever been a lot of overtaking in Melbourne – and then we’ve had three great races since then.

"Shouldn’t we be looking at the tracks and the tyre compounds and how they influence races rather than burdening the teams with what will be hundreds of millions in costs?"

"I find it frustrating that decisions are made on zero evidence or zero conclusions on theories and the burden of costs are passed on to the teams.

"Is it going to guarantee closer racing, and cars following closer next year? Probably not."

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