Red Bull chief engineer Paul Monaghan says the process of developing Formula 1's new 2021 cars is "mighty challenging".
The major design overhaul is one of the pillars of the new regulations with F1 bosses eager to create closer racing by shifting the aerodynamic focus to ground effect which is much less susceptible to turbulent air.
At this point, the final details are not finalised, however, given the opportunity the fresh piece of paper offers, Monaghan explained initial work is already underway.
“It’s a big challenge, isn’t it?” he said of the overhaul.
“We want to challenge these guys [Mercedes and Ferrari], we are obliged to look at the 2021 regulations now and, as has been discussed, the negotiation is ongoing as to how they will fall out.
“So our resources are being pushed and pulled in many directions and the change proposed for 2021 is enormous.
“It’s not an evolution as we had from ’16 into ’17, you may argue, and it’s going to be mighty challenging.”
While Mercedes technical director James Allison agreed on the difficulty of the task F1 teams face, he suggested making any considerable start on the 2021 rules is pointless.
“This one is certainly, drafted, a lot, lot bigger than most and that will make it extra-specially challenging,” he said of the design changes.
“I would say that, however, the precise nature of those rules is still being discussed, so the actual amount of work that can be done right now is relatively limited because precisely where those rules shake-out is not yet fixed.
“But it’s going to be difficult.”
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As for the drivers' view, Lewis Hamilton has already voiced his wish to give the 2021 cars a try but Max Verstappen is less impressed.
"Currently, the cars would be three seconds per lap slower," he said. "That’s quite a lot.
"I think the cars have to be lighter, but that’s difficult to do with the hybrid power-units and the batteries.”
“The cars [now] are faster and more fun to drive compared to my first year," he suggested. "That’s the best change in my opinion, despite overtaking now being more difficult."
