Chargement ...

New F1 teams already testing in wind tunnels

"I have no facts if they’re doing it or not"

Chargement ...

Gunther Steiner says he has heard rumours that potential new Formula 1 teams are already testing in existing competitors’ wind tunnels.

McLaren supremo Zak Brown told the Washington Post in recent days that "three or four teams" are set to meet the FIA’s forthcoming deadline this month to apply for up to two vacant spots in pitlane from as early as 2025.

"I’d love to see the grid expand with the right terms and conditions," he said.

Brown, however, makes no secret of his support for the most visible and vocal of the potential applicants - Andretti-Cadillac - as he is already in business with Michael Andretti’s US-based empire in other categories.

Further ramping up controversy are rumours that some of the more serious applicants for 2025 or 2026 are already up-and-running in existing teams’ wind tunnels.

"It’s clearly rumours," Haas team boss Gunther Steiner said. "I have no facts if they’re doing it or not.

"But if the rules are like this, I think they are free to do that. I mean, we cannot say you’re not allowed to do something if you’re not even part of Formula 1.

"If you’re not part of F1, it doesn’t mean you will be part of it, so you’re taking a risk. So, I have no big opinion about that. By the rules, they’re allowed to do it."

Steiner added that he’s not even overly concerned that aerodynamic development data could ’leak’ from the prospective team renting the wind tunnel to the existing team that owns it.

"The FIA keeps a close eye on that one, so I’m not too concerned," he insisted. "We hear the rumours, the FIA hears the rumours and I’m sure they are going to check now."

Steiner also agrees with Brown that it is misunderstood how much influence the existing teams will have on the FIA’s decision about the 11th or 12th teams.

"We haven’t got a lot of voting rights on it," he confirmed. "If they think it makes Formula 1 better for everybody and there’s upsides, I have no problem."

Chargement ...

«’Afraid’ Rosberg reveals reason for F1 retirement

Poaching Newey would not fix Ferrari - Alesi»

Haas F1


>’No rush’ to decide non-racing Haas role for Magnussen

>Haas hits out at planned customer team clampdown

>Alpine to release Ocon for Haas test in Abu Dhabi

>Magnussen admits no concrete talks with Audi’s Binotto yet

>Gene Haas not selling F1 team to Toyota - boss

More on Haas F1

Formula 1 news


>Germany lacks will for Formula 1 race - Wolff

>Perez led to constructors’ championship loss - Marko

>F1 drivers notice ’smell of weed’ in Las Vegas

>Wolff hints Bottas poised for Mercedes return

>Nyck de Vries could be new McLaren reserve

More Formula 1news