Mercedes "policing" will prevent rule-bending - Christian Horner

Red Bull

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Mercedes "policing" will prevent rule-bending - Horner

Red Bull had concerns over Mercedes' rear wings ahead of Qatar

Ian Parkes & Ewan Gale

Wednesday 24 November 2021 05:00

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Christian Horner believes the new policing of rear wings by the FIA will "eradicate any ability to circumnavigate" regulations after concerns over the legality of the Mercedes component.

Red Bull had raised issues regarding the sudden increase in the straight-line speed performance for the Silver Arrows in recent times, especially at the São Paulo Grand Prix where there was a 27kph difference between the two teams.

Chief technical officer Adrian Newey and chief engineer Paul Monaghan had visited the FIA in Brazil and whilst concerns loomed ahead of the Qatar GP, changes to scrutineering tests were revealed by Horner for after qualifying.

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With the speed differential much narrower at Losail, Horner was keen to point out the new tests had prevented loopholes.

"I'm glad to see it's being well policed, and I'm confident what has been introduced should eradicate any ability to circumnavigate," said Horner.

"What we'd seen in recent races was abnormal straight-line speed. Toto [Wolff] has been at pains to point out we've gained straight-line speed but nothing's changed.

"It's encouraging that at the first race since prior to Silverstone we were able to match them in straight-line speed. As I've said, it's been exponential in recent races."

Title fight to go to Abu Dhabi - Horner

Lewis Hamilton's victory over Max Verstappen in Qatar ensures the title fight remains finely poised with just eight points separating the rivals.

Red Bull also cut the gap in the constructors' battle to five points after Valtteri Bottas' retirement, with Horner expecting both fights to go to the wire in Abu Dhabi.

"We've been around the world in the last three weekends, and we've pretty much finished where we started in terms of the points difference," he explained. "It's that close, it's incredibly close.

"Mercedes has a very quick car at the moment. Before the last two weekends the pendulum was with us, in Austin there was nothing to choose between the two.

"I'm glad to be taking an eight-point advantage into the next race, so we've just got to do the best we can. We need to maximise our chances.

"I've said from the very beginning of this championship it will go all the way to Abu Dhabi, and I haven't changed my opinion."