Rule revolution could entice Newey back - Horner

  • Published on 13 Feb 2015 09:54
  • comments 0
  • By: Rob Veenstra
A big change to the regulations could convince Adrian Newey to return to full throttle in formula one. That is the claim of Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, who insists Newey's step backwards to work on other technology projects is actually a good opportunity for other engineers to show their worth.

It is obvious, however, that the highly-rated Newey made the decision to step back due to his frustration with the ever-tightening chassis rules. "This (RB11) is the first car in my formula one career that hasn't had my sole attention, time-wise," he admitted at the recent Jerez test. "But all of the major packaging I have been heavily involved in, and some of the details as well," Newey revealed.

He hinted that his interest in F1 design waned due to the technical rules, where modern cars all resemble one another and the biggest performance differentiator in the new turbo V6 era is the 'power unit'. "Very much so," said Newey.

"In truth it's a very difficult compromise in terms of having relatively open regulations that can cause excessive spending, but I don't really buy that because we have wind tunnel and CFD restrictions. But I think there's been a fear that with overly open regulations, one team might get a big advantage over the others."

"I think that's gone the other way now. The blend, in my opinion, should be driver, chassis and engine, and at the moment I think it's very much skewed towards the engine. The chassis regulations have become over-restricted, and the problem for us is that the cars all look the same, and it's difficult to differentiate from my point of view as designer. (It's) difficult to find new avenues. I do feel we have become over-restricted," Newey admitted.

However, a big topic of conversation behind closed doors at present is a potential radical change in regulations for 2017, involving not only the move to 1,000 horse power engines but also vastly different-looking cars. If that does happen, Horner thinks Newey might be tempted to return to F1 full-time. "If the regulations change and become a little more open and attractive," the Red Bull chief is quoted by Brazil's Totalrace, "it might sharpen his appetite." (GMM)

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule
show sidebar