Mercedes "policing" will prevent rule-bending - Horner
Mercedes "policing" will prevent rule-bending - Horner
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.
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."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
F1 News Today: Horner reveals Verstappen SECRET as team reveal surprise name change
- 1 hour ago
Ferrari announce DRASTIC change as Verstappen issues dire warning to bosses - GPFans F1 Recap
- Today 00:27
Hamilton sends strong message over Gaza deaths
- Yesterday 22:57
F1 giants announce name change with IMMEDIATE effect
- Yesterday 21:57
Horner admits Red Bull at MAJOR disadvantage with new rules
- Yesterday 20:57
Horner reveals 'unhuman' Verstappen secret
- Yesterday 19:57
Related news
Kravitz reveals awkward Wolff story following Hamilton F1 drama
Sainz makes 'cruel' F1 revelation
Mercedes admit Russell/Hamilton clash 'seriously compromised' strategy
Alonso explains why Qatar GP was one of the 'toughest races in history'
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860