F1 missing an opportunity with 2017 rules, Red Bull's Horner says

Horner was eager for F1 to embrace the initially planned wide-sweeping changes that would have seen cars dramatically improve in laptime by six seconds next year, but ultimately found himself in the minority.

Following a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council in Geneva on Friday, the plans to be put in place by April 30 will improve performance by around four seconds per lap, depending on the circuit.

"We've still got to the end of April to tidy up the rules," Horner told Autosport.

"From a sport point of view, to come up with a car that is a real challenge for the drivers, that sorts the men out from the boys, to see them earning their money, is something truly spectacular, is something everybody wants to see.

"The initial concept was tabled a year and a half ago by us to be more aggressive with the cars, to go back to basics with what a grand prix car should look like.

"Over a period of a year we've ended up where we are. It's a step forward, we're going down the right route, but we're not quite there yet.

"At least with what's proposed and with what has been fundamentally agreed, it will be a step towards that - not quite as big a step as we would have liked - but certainly a step in the right direction."

Horner feels more can still be done before next month's deadline, adding: "We've a great chance to address some of the issues, although there is reticence in certain quarters.

"But hopefully in the time available between now and the end of April there's still an opportunity to ensure the product for 2017 addresses the criteria, because it would be a great shame to miss that opportunity."

Horner feels despite the focus on aero, with the front wings to be less of an influencing factor and with more downforce to be applied, the power units could ultimately play even more of a significant role than at present.

"What we are slightly nervous of is by putting big wheels on cars it creates a lot more drag," explained Horner.

"Unless you create efficient downforce, and when you consider the amount of mechanical grip, you are going to end up spending more time on full throttle.

"That makes power a bigger differentiator than vice versa, so that's a slight concern we have from a personal perspective."