Horner reveals what he expects from stricter aero tests from Barcelona onwards

After McLaren’s dominant start to the season, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner was asked whether his teams’ championship hopes will rely heavily on the new wing regulations, the Briton said that he is unsure whether the the new test might bring a significant change.

Following issues with the flexibility of certain aerodynamic parts, the governing body confirmed ahead of the new season that more stringent tests for the front and rear wing would be introduced in 2025.

While the technical regulations allow a certain degree of flexibility of various aerodynamic parts, including the front wing, the FIA had felt
that some teams had taken the ‘flexi-wing’ approach to extremes.

Although the FIA previously indicated that they would not change their approach to testing regarding the flexibility of aerodynamic parts, it announced in January that it would clamp down on the manner in which Formula 1 teams can bend their wings in the new season.

The new deflection tests will come into force in two steps. The stricter tests for the rear wings was introduced at the start of the upcoming season, and they have become even stricter since than as the FIA was not fully satisfied with how certain teams approached the rules.

The more stringent deflection tests on the front wings will be applied from the Spanish Grand Prix.

After McLaren’s dominant start to the season, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner was asked whether his teams’ championship hopes will rely heavily on the new wing regulations, the Briton said that he is unsure whether the the new test might bring a significant change.

“Well, first of all, there is no big update – I don’t know where that’s come from – for Imola. We’re at the stage of these regulations where it’s all incremental gains.

“The changes at Round 9. It will be a change – how that will affect the different cars with the stiffening of the front wings, who knows how that will play out? We’ve been unhappy at certain races this year with performance, but we’ve still been dragging results out of the car.

“We’re the only team to have won a race other than McLaren this year. We’ve had a couple of poles as well. We’re working very hard to improve the car and improve that situation. So, being only 12 points away at this stage of the championship – it’s a long, long way to go.

“This championship is an absolute marathon. I don’t think you can exclude anybody in the top, probably, six at the moment as a potential contender – such is the length.

“And if last year teaches us anything, things can change very quickly. Who knows how that front wing change will play out? Whether some will benefit, some will lose – only time will tell.”

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