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Aston Martin slated as "naive" by Red Bull over rule change threat

Aston Martin claims it has been unfairly disadvantaged by new aerodynamic rules

Ewan Gale

Friday 16 April 2021 17:30

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has described Aston Martin team principal Otmar Szafnauer as "naive" for asking for the rules imposed for this season to be changed after just one race.

Szafnauer has been left unhappy with the imposed downforce cuts that have left his team's low-rake concept seemingly at a disadvantage to its competitors, going so far as to suggest legal action could be taken depending on the outcome of discussions.

Horner, however, is staggered by the revelation and indicated there should be no grounds for an argument as all teams agreed to the regulation changes last season ahead of their implementation over the winter.

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Speaking to Sky Sports F1 in the Imola paddock ahead of this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix, Horner said: "I am slightly surprised to hear that.

"I have heard rumblings but I haven't heard how it has been spelt out. We have had a sample of one where Mercedes won with what you would classify a low-rake car.

"They had absolutely equal, if not better tyre degradation than we had in Bahrain. They have looked mighty impressive here and we have only run at one circuit so far.

"But ignoring all of that, there is a process for regulations to be introduced. They were voted through unanimously through the different regulations that Aston Martin - or Racing Point - would have had to vote for before being passed through the F1 Commission and the World [Motorsport] Council. They were all voted through unanimously.

"When there was a front wing change a few years ago, it really hurt us. We voted against it but you just have to accept it.

"It seems a little naive to think the rules are just going to get changed after a sample of a single race and after the process has been fully followed. I am struggling to get my head around that."

It is not the first time regulation changes have caused an uproar with certain teams in the paddock, with Horner insisting Szafnauer and Aston Martin must simply get on with the job in hand.

Asked if regulations are regularly changed to hamper a specific team, Horner replied: "Of course, that is the nature of the game.

"Whether it is blown diffusers, double diffusers, flexi-wings, non-flexi-wings, F-ducts and front-wing regs that I mentioned just a couple of years ago. It is part of F1, regulations evolve and change and you have got to swing with those punches.

"That is F1. We have a big regulation change for next year. The teams know that and it has been a part of the history of the sport for many years."