Sky Sports Channel Logo

F1 News

News

  • News
  • Video
  • Live
  • Opinion
  • Gossip
  • Drivers & Teams
  • Schedule & Results
  • Standings
  • Stats Zone
  • Get Sky F1

Shark fins spoil 2017 F1 car designs, says Red Bull's Christian Horner

Red Bull's Horner hopes teams agree to outlaw them for 2018

By James Galloway in Barcelona

Last Updated: 17/03/17 12:04pm

The shark fin-shaped engine cover on the striking Toro Rosso
The shark fin-shaped engine cover on the striking Toro Rosso

Red Bull chief Christian Horner believes the reappearance of shark fin engine covers on F1 cars lets the otherwise "fantastic" 2017 designs down.

F1's rulemakers deliberately set out to make the 2017 cars more aggressive and attractive for fans, with initial verdicts on the new-look challengers generally proving positive.

However, the return of shark fin-shaped engine covers, designed to help channel air flow to the rear wing, after several years have split opinion with all 10 teams having now run them in testing.

F1 2017: The new cars revealed

Horner says Red Bull tried to get teams to agree to ban them in meetings last year, but were voted down by the "majority" of their rivals.

"I think the cars look fantastic, the only thing that lets them down is the shark fins," he said at Barcelona testing.

"It's something we raised at the Formula 1 Strategy [Group] meeting last year to ask that all teams remove them because it is a pretty marginal performance gain they offer.

Watch as the new Red Bull takes to the track in Barcelona on day one of the first test, but has to make a hasty return under covers

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sky Sports

Watch as the new Red Bull takes to the track in Barcelona on day one of the first test, but has to make a hasty return under covers
Watch as the new Red Bull takes to the track in Barcelona on day one of the first test, but has to make a hasty return under covers

"In the interests of aesthetics, it was requested they be removed. That went to the F1 Commission and unfortunately it was immediately rejected by the majority of teams."

Although Red Bull's RB13 includes the same feature, Horner hopes teams will agree to cut off that design avenue in the regulations for 2018.

"Hopefully it's something that can be addressed for next year because the cars look great, it's just a shame this shark fin has crept in through another loophole in the regulations," he added.

Tipped as the team most likely to challenge Mercedes' dominance of F1, Red Bull were at the centre of a winter query to the FIA from Ferrari over the use of hydraulically-activated suspension systems.

The threat of protests against such systems at the season-opening Australian GP have been mooted, but Horner says the FIA has repeatedly given the green light to Red Bull's designs.

Horner's Red Bull team is also utilising a shark fin design
Horner's Red Bull team is also utilising a shark fin design

"It's a question of interpretation and the FIA appears happy with the way we've interpreted the rules," said Horner.

Also See:

  • F1 in 2017: The new cars revealed
  • The Formula 1 Gossip column
  • Get Sky Sports F1
  • Pre-season testing on Sky F1

"If anybody has a problem with that they have the right to protest and then the stewards will look at it.

"But we can only go on the advice we receive from the governing body - this isn't a new subject, it's something that has gone on for some time - and certainly all the feedback we've had there's been no issue."

Trending

  • 1
    Deadline Day LIVE! Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle latest
  • 2
    Arsenal set to sign Jorginho | Gunners still keen on Caicedo
  • 3
    Top transfers that could still happen on Deadline Day
  • 4
    Arsenal transfer talk: £12m Jorginho deal agreed, Caicedo still a target
  • 5
    Chelsea close to PL-record £105m Fernandez deal | Financial fair play explained
  • 6
    Haas to kick off F1 launch season with updated look | What's new on 2023 cars?
  • 7
    Man Utd transfer talk: Maguire rejects Inter Milan loan move
  • 8
    Tottenham transfer talk: Doherty to move to Atletico, Porro flies in
  • 9
    Porro to join Spurs on loan with obligation to buy
  • 10
    Chelsea transfer talk: Gallagher and Ziyech on the move after Jorginho?
  • Video
  • Latest News
  • Home
  • Sports
    • Football
    • F1
    • Cricket
    • Rugby Union
    • Rugby League
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • NFL
    • Tennis
    • Racing
    • Darts
    • NBA
    • Netball
    • GAA
    • MMA
    • More Sports
  • Scores
  • Video
  • TV
  • Sky Bet
  • Games
  • More
    • Transfer Centre
    • Live on Sky
    • Get Sky Sports
    • TV Shows
    • TV Guide
    • Sky Go
    • Now TV
    • Kick It Out
    • Black Lives Matter
    • Sky Zero
    • Podcasts
    • Mobile
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Contact Us
    • Work @ Sky Sports
    • Terms & Conditions
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Sky Sports
    • Get Sky Sports
    • Sky Sports Apps
    • Sportinglife.com
    • TEAMtalk.com
    • Football365.com
  • Partners
    • Sky Bet
    • Fantasy Football
    • Super 6
    • Planet Rugby
    • Golf365
    • Planet F1
    • Cricket365
  • Sky Sports Channels
    • Sky Sports Main Event
    • Sky Sports Premier League
    • Sky Sports Football
    • Sky Sports Cricket
    • Sky Sports Golf
    • Sky Sports Racing
    • Sky Sports F1
    • Sky Sports Action
    • Sky Sports Arena
    • Sky Sports News
    • Sky Sports Mix
  • More Sky Sites
    • Sky.com
    • Sky News
    • Sky Group
    • Sky For Businesses
    • Work @ Sky Sports
    • NOW TV
    • Sky Communal TV
    • Bigger Picture
    • Store Locator
    • Advertise With Us
    • Sky TV Accessories
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy & Cookies Notice
  • Privacy Options
  • Accessibility Information
  • Contact Us

Sky Sports Channel Logo ©2023 Sky UK