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Faster F1 cars in 2017?

Bahrain - Almost every team in pitlane is now opposed to the plan to speed up the cars with more downforce in 2017.

Although designers are already turning their minds to what are expected to be vastly different regulations in 2017, Auto Motor und Sport revealed on Friday (April 1) that eight of the eleven teams are actually opposed.

An April 30 deadline has been set for finalisation of the new rules, to feature wider cars and tyres and bigger diffusers and wings for a laptime boost of several seconds.

Tyre supplier worries

But we reported this week that there is now some uncertainty, and not just because of the delay in the release of wind tunnel tyres by Pirelli, who are yet to sign an actual contract for 2017 and beyond with the governing FIA.

Read: Lauda slams 'crazy' F1 qualifying fiasco

It was believed Mercedes, Williams and Force India had backed views shared by the likes of world champion Lewis Hamilton, who thinks more downforce is not the answer to F1's problems.

An F1 source warned: "If we commit ourselves to wider cars, there is no turning back like with the qualifying format."

Majority of teams oppose changes

Another source told Auto Motor und Sport in Bahrain: "Eight of the eleven teams are now opposed to the introduction of the new car."

One of the three teams still in favour is McLaren, who came up with the blueprint for the 2017 car concept. The other two are Red Bull and Toro Rosso, with Red Bull's Adrian Newey always relishing a new set of aero rules.

However, even with the majority of teams opposed, the 2017 rules could still go through.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said: "With their voices in the strategy group, Bernie Ecclestone and the FIA could theoretically stop a move in this direction."


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