Red Bull threatens protest against Mercedes’ rear wing as F1 title battle controversy continues

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“Obviously they’ve found a clever solution with their rear wing. The question is, is this legal?” Red Bull boss Christian Horner says as he threatens to protest, most likely in Jeddah or Abu Dhabi; Mercedes Has No Concerns About Possible Protest By Matt Morledge

Last update: 11/21/19 4:07 PM

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Red Bull boss Christian Horner has responded after rejecting Mercedes’ request to review Max Verstappen’s driving in Sao Paulo – and speaks of the possibility of another protest.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner has responded after rejecting Mercedes’ request to review Max Verstappen’s driving in Sao Paulo – and speaks of the possibility of another protest.

Red Bull is preparing to face its own Formula One protest against fierce rival Mercedes, with team boss Christian Horner claiming the world champions are using a “subtle” method to boost their straight-line speed.

An increasingly close and contentious title battle is taking place both on and off the track between Red Bull and Mercedes, whose line is finally drawn under the Brazil incident between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton on Friday as the hosts were denied the Silver Arrows their right to review.

But the drama continues in Qatar with the revelation from Horner that Red Bull is planning to protest against the Mercedes car.

Red Bull, which is ahead in the drivers’ standings but trailing in the team, believes that Mercedes’ rear wing has “marks” on it, enabling them to reduce drag, even when the DRS is closed, to increase top speed.

“Don’t get too carried away, if we see that on the car here it will be protested,” Horner told SkyF1: “Don’t get too carried away by it,” with Red Bull already raising questions to the FIA ​​about the wing amid Hamilton’s big speed advantage over Verstappen.

Horner added that he did not think Mercedes would use that rear wing in Qatar and that protest was probably more likely in the last two rounds of 2021, where there is “a significant dependence on straight-line speed”.

“This is probably a less important factor here than in Jeddah and Abu Dhabi in particular,” he said. “But you can have a situation like in Brazil where the car is literally untraceable.”

Mercedes don’t worry about potential protest

Horner’s comments came after Verstappen was fined in Sao Paulo for feeling the Mercedes winger, which he said felt “significantly different”.

Mercedes chief Wolff did not deny the result scores but said he “believes it is within what is permissible” under F1 regulations.

“I think that’s his opinion and point of view, and it’s totally okay under the regulations to ask for clarification or protest,” Wolff said of Horner’s comments.

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Mercedes chief Toto Wolff said he was not surprised their request for a review of the crash between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton in Brazil was rejected.

Mercedes chief Toto Wolff said he was not surprised their request for a review of the crash between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton in Brazil was rejected.

“This is how it works in Formula 1. You want to limit the impact of a potential technical interpretation for the other team. The FIA ​​needs to judge. That’s fine.”

Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes track engineering director, added: “From our point of view we are completely happy with what we have in the car, we have invited the FIA ​​to take a look as much as they want and they don’t. You have no problem.”

Red Bull: Mercedes has found a ‘hidden’ and ‘smart’ solution

Questioning the legitimacy of each other’s cars is nothing new for Red Bull and Mercedes in 2021, with Mercedes complaining earlier this season about Red Bull’s ‘skinny wing’. Then, the FIA ​​brought in tests from the French GP to prevent teams from using this setup.

Horner said there are also “very specific regulations” around this side of the rear wing.

“It is clear that the instructions issued before Azerbaijan had a material effect,” Horner said. “I think this is something more advanced, and it’s hidden in the way it works, so it’s hard to detect from the camera.

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Paul di Resta compares the fastest laps of Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen during the second practice before Qatar GP.

Paul di Resta compares the fastest laps of Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen during the second practice before Qatar GP.

“But you can see the straight-line performance since Hungary, particularly in the last two races, has been a good fit.

“Obviously that matters to us and that’s why Adrian [Newey, chief technical officer] and pol [Monoghan, chief engineer] It was discussed with the FIA.”

He added to Sky F1 later on Friday evening: “We’ve seen decent straight line speed growth. It’s a fact. Just look at the stats and the straight line speed that Mercedes have been able to achieve in the last two races – in Mexico they were faster than us in straight line 14.” km / h, it was 27 in Brazil.

“In our minds, they obviously found a clever solution with their back wing. The question is, is this legal? This is from the FIA ​​for the police.”

Analysis of the latest off-track controversy in F1

Sky Sports F1 Ted Kravitz

“In terms of a Mercedes, mainly when the rear spoiler, the DRS flap, is closed – it still deflates the drag at full speed, thus giving them a straight-line boost in speed.

“This Mercedes rear wing is legal – but Red Bull can say that ‘oblivion wings’ have also passed some tests.

Then the FIA ​​introduced new tests after Azerbaijan which would not have been possible without the changes.

“The FIA ​​will have to run new tests and see if that rear wing throws more drag when it’s closed.

“But how the FIA ​​devised a test for that in a car going 200mph, I don’t know!”

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