Initial development work on the new 2019 aero regulations saw a “big hit” to lap times and car balance, according to Racing Point technical director Andrew Green.
This season, Formula 1 cars will feature a series of changes aimed at encouraging better racing on track as a simplified front wing along with smaller bargeboards combines with a wider, deeper rear wing aimed at increasing the slipstream effect and reducing the impact of turbulent air.
While the effectiveness of the alterations remains up for debate, Green offered an insight into the challenges he has faced as a designer.
“It’s been a big hit,” he told Motorsport.com. “When we first put it in the wind tunnel a few months ago, we’re talking a few seconds of lap time and a poorly balanced car as well.
“It was the worst possible outcome. We, like everyone else, have been trying to crawl our way out of the hole that we jumped into with these new regulations.
“It’s significant and it’s right up there with, not-quite a complete change of car, but it’s pretty close.
“Hopefully, it has some positives with respect to closer racing.”
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Interestingly, Green’s comments go against the top teams who have all claimed to have recovered the lost performance from the changes.
Part of that though could be the circumstances of the Racing Point team, as they emerge from last year’s financial issues before the mid-summer change in ownership.
“It’s a big challenge,” the technical chief continued. “I wonder if the old Force India would have really struggled.
“Significant architectural changes would need to keep being developed throughout the season, we would be struggling. We’re in a much better place now, it’s going to help us.”
As for his own opinion on whether the wing changes will work…
“[I think F1 will] struggle to see a big difference following another car,” Green admitted.
“I hope I’m wrong, I hope all this work will result in some positives in following another car, but for the analysis we’ve seen, it looks relatively small.”