Qatar Grand Prix

Mercedes straight-line speed "under control" after FIA introduce new tests - Horner

Sam Hall Saturday 20 November 2021 18:15

Mercedes straight-line speed "under control" after FIA introduce new tests - Horner

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has claimed the new FIA load test is "doing its job" despite Lewis Hamilton claiming pole position from Max Verstappen in Qatar.

After Horner again questioned the legality of Mercedes' rear wing in the early stages of the Qatar Grand Prix weekend, the FIA introduced new load tests completed after qualifying to test rear-wing flexing.

Put to him by Sky Sports F1 the comments of Mercedes boss Toto Wolff claiming Red Bull had gained straight-line speed this weekend, Horner retorted: “Did he?

"Their straight-line speed has come down a bit. It looks very similar to our straight-line speed now which is good to see.

"Lewis made all of his time in turns six and seven. Particularly on that last lap, he had an amazing sector through that sequence of the two slower corners.

“From what we’ve seen on the straight-line speed, it looks normal. Just a very strong lap from Lewis.”

Asked if his comments were a reflection he was not confident the new tests would find irregularities in Mercedes rear wing, Horner explained: “The load test is doing its job because the straight-line speed is under control.

"Suddenly we’re in line and we haven’t seen that for four or five races.

“This is all about, not this circuit, but it is very much about Jeddah and Abu Dhabi where there is a massive premium on high speed.”

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Mercedes straight-line speed "under control" after FIA introduce new tests - Horner

Mercedes straight-line speed "under control" after FIA introduce new tests - Horner