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horner and marko tell somewhat different update floor

Horner contradicts Marko on floor update: 'How would Helmut know?'

8 July at 16:11
2
  • Corwin Kunst

Helmut Marko revealed prior to the British Grand Prix that the RB20's new floor accounted for six points of extra downforce, about half a tenth. However, team principal Christian Horner claims that this information from the Austrian racing stable's 81-year-old team advisor is incorrect.

Red Bull Racing took two updates, both floor-related. A lot of extra time it provided the formation of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, Marko warned before the start of the weekend at Silverstone. But according to Horner, that number is slightly different.

"How would Helmut know? Six points. How does he know?" the British team boss joked in an interview with international media, including GPblog. "I think your figure is incorrect. I think that you've obviously picked that up spluriously. But, look, I mean, it's no secret that we have less development time than the others and we're at the top of the curve. So, you're into diminishing returns."

Lesser big steps forward

Because Red Bull Racing were so dominant last season, finishing first in the constructors' standings, Formula 1 gives them fewer hours in the wind tunnel to test updates. A team like McLaren finished fourth in the World Championship last year and therefore has a lot more time available and can come up with more new parts.

Moreover, it is the case that these rules have been the same since 2022. The gap is almost gone, although teams keep coming up with some new parts. However, those upgrades no longer provide such big jumps as in past years. "I think there's stuff we have in the pipeline that whilst we are at the top of the curve, there are still gains to be had," Horner said.