Red Bull boss Horner defends practice of car "cloning" in F1
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has defended the use of "clone" cars in Formula 1, saying they make the championship better
Racing Point revealed its new RP20, which draw heavy inspiration from last year's title-winning Mercedes W10, at the start of pre-season testing, while Haas and the newly renamed AlphaTauri team share design trends with Ferrari and Red Bull respectively.
While some teams are not happy at the prospect of rivals copying each other, Horner said anything that helps the smaller outfits to become more competitive is a bonus.
"I think collaborations do make sense," he said.
"Otherwise, how do teams like AlphaTauri and Racing Point, Haas, even Alfa Romeo, [compete] if they couldn't buy suspensions and gearboxes?
"All the R&D that they're going to have to conduct themselves will be big amounts of resource.
"Of course, some teams look like they've gone further in their cloning than others, but as long as it complies with the rules, I don't particularly have a problem with it.
"For Liberty it creates a more competitive grid. For the teams it makes Formula 1 more affordable.
"Of course you don't want 10 cars that all look the same, but I think there's elements to the car that are transferable, like suspension and gearboxes for example, that make a lot of sense."
While there is no suggestion Racing Point has breached the regulations with its design, McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl has called for strict policing of team collaborations to check that rules are followed.
"The rules are pretty clear of what is allowed and what is not allowed and of course it's important already now in 2020, that these rules are followed," he said.
- Our analysis of collaborative cars
- Racing Point's gamble on a Mercedes-inspired design
- AlphaTauri's blend of second-hand style/originality
- Will Ferrari-inspired design cure Haas woes?
"There's limitations for each team of what you're allowed to do for example on the CFD side or in terms of windtunnel hours.
"I assume that it's already properly policed now, that not one team for example is doing work, which then gets transferred to another team, because it would clearly not be within the regulations."
Mercedes had to make engine change at first 2020 Barcelona F1 test
Russell: Under-rated Williams F1 team-mate Latifi tough to beat
Alonso still harbours thoughts of F1 2023 title
Alonso still harbours thoughts of F1 2023 title Alonso still harbours thoughts of F1 2023 title
Mercedes still needs to dial out a “nasty” rear end of F1 car
Mercedes still needs to dial out a “nasty” rear end of F1 car Mercedes still needs to dial out a “nasty” rear end of F1 car
What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset
What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset
Video: Mighty Max's domination at the F1 Monaco GP
Video: Mighty Max's domination at the F1 Monaco GP Video: Mighty Max's domination at the F1 Monaco GP
Why Alonso and Aston made the call that guaranteed Verstappen's Monaco victory
Why Alonso and Aston made the call that guaranteed Verstappen's Monaco victory Why Alonso and Aston made the call that guaranteed Verstappen's Monaco victory
F1 Monaco GP: Verstappen survives late rain to defeat Alonso
F1 Monaco GP: Verstappen survives late rain to defeat Alonso F1 Monaco GP: Verstappen survives late rain to defeat Alonso
Kyle Kirkwood reveals 80G impact flipped his car in Indy 500
Kyle Kirkwood reveals 80G impact flipped his car in Indy 500 Kyle Kirkwood reveals 80G impact flipped his car in Indy 500
Kanaan, Castroneves battled over 15th in Indy 500 like it was “for the win”
Kanaan, Castroneves battled over 15th in Indy 500 like it was “for the win” Kanaan, Castroneves battled over 15th in Indy 500 like it was “for the win”
Piastri learned from following Verstappen in wet Monaco GP
Piastri learned from following Verstappen in wet Monaco GP Piastri learned from following Verstappen in wet Monaco GP
Revealed: Three key speed secrets of Newgarden's Indy 500 win
Revealed: Three key speed secrets of Newgarden's Indy 500 win Revealed: Three key speed secrets of Newgarden's Indy 500 win
Why the highlight of F1 2023 so far should end Monaco's calendar slot debate
Why the highlight of F1 2023 so far should end Monaco's calendar slot debate Why the highlight of F1 2023 so far should end Monaco's calendar slot debate
Monaco Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Monaco Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Monaco Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Why Alonso and Aston made the call that guaranteed Verstappen's Monaco victory
Why Alonso and Aston made the call that guaranteed Verstappen's Monaco victory Why Alonso and Aston made the call that guaranteed Verstappen's Monaco victory
The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP
The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP
What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset
What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset
Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?
Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari? Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?
Why the growing pains of F1’s cost-cap era require patience
Why the growing pains of F1’s cost-cap era require patience Why the growing pains of F1’s cost-cap era require patience
Has F1 gone too far with its sprint race format tweaks?
Has F1 gone too far with its sprint race format tweaks? Has F1 gone too far with its sprint race format tweaks?
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.