Skip to main content

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Recommended for you

WRC Estonia: Unbeatable Pajari leads after perfect Friday

WRC
Rally Estonia
WRC Estonia: Unbeatable Pajari leads after perfect Friday

"Not getting ahead of ourselves" - Why Norris was downbeat in Belgium despite F1 practice pace

Formula 1
Belgian GP
"Not getting ahead of ourselves" - Why Norris was downbeat in Belgium despite F1 practice pace

Alpine explains Gasly's crash that red-flagged FP2

Formula 1
Belgian GP
Alpine explains Gasly's crash that red-flagged FP2

What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 F1 Belgian GP

Feature
Formula 1
Belgian GP
What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 F1 Belgian GP

Red Bull expects to run its ‘Macarena’ wing again at next F1 race

Formula 1
Belgian GP
Red Bull expects to run its ‘Macarena’ wing again at next F1 race

How Racing Bulls let a driver battle decide who got its F1 car cooling upgrade for Belgian GP

Formula 1
Belgian GP
How Racing Bulls let a driver battle decide who got its F1 car cooling upgrade for Belgian GP

F1 Belgian GP: Antonelli headlines FP2 over Norris, Gasly crash causes red flag

Formula 1
Belgian GP
F1 Belgian GP: Antonelli headlines FP2 over Norris, Gasly crash causes red flag

LIVE: F1 Belgian GP commentary and updates - Antonelli tops FP2 as Gasly suffers heavy crash

Formula 1
Belgian GP
LIVE: F1 Belgian GP commentary and updates - Antonelli tops FP2 as Gasly suffers heavy crash

McLaren's Boullier suspects rules change will give Red Bull edge

McLaren racing director Eric Boullier suspects Red Bull will be the team to watch for the 2017 Formula 1 season given its design prowess

Boullier feels the rules revolution for next year represents an opportunity for McLaren to make further progress, but has highlighted Red Bull in particular as a rival he is concerned will make big strides.

"For me, I'm more scared of Red Bull than any of the others because I know they can develop a car," Boullier told Autosport.

Though McLaren is gaining momentum at present under the current rules, Boullier does not think the rules reset will hamper it.

"It's good we have this clean sheet of paper," Boullier told Autosport.

"I know we can do a very good job. We were pushing for the change because we believe in our capability to deliver a good car, so maybe it's a way to close the gap even further.

"It's a new era. We are at the end of a cycle and you are trying to fine-tune performance everywhere.

"With different aerodynamics next year, with a bigger wing, a bigger floor, when you are used to finding one point a week in the windtunnel, now you want 10, and it's 'wow!' because every time you try something it's a massive gain."

McLaren driver Fernando Alonso has gone so far as to suggest he could quit F1 if the cars failed to address his concerns about the current era.

Boullier at least feels Alonso will be far happier with next season's cars and the greater cornering pace their downforce increase will permit.

"He will be happier, and not only him, but every driver in the pitlane," said Boullier.

"If you tell them tomorrow they will have a car that is four seconds faster, with more cornering speed, they will love it."

He also feels the regulations will allow the most talented drivers to show their skills.

"Next year there will be more difference between the driver talent because the car will be much faster in the corners," Boullier said.

"You may end up with the better drivers being definitely better, the cream rising to the top."

Previous article Toro Rosso to push on with chassis updates to offset engine deficit
Next article F1 Belgian GP: Mercedes' Hamilton set to take grid penalty

Top Comments

Latest news