McLaren ‘more scared’ of Red Bull for 2017

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McLaren Racing Director Eric Boullier believes Red Bull could be the team to watch next season as design is their strong suit.

Next season Formula 1 will introduce a host of new technical regulations, including wider wings and tyres, in a bid to make the cars more aggressive looking and up to five seconds per lap faster.

Boullier reckons the change could play into Red Bull’s hands as the four-time World Champions are known for their car designs, headed up by tech guru Adrian Newey.

“For me, I’m more scared of Red Bull than any of the others because I know they can develop a car,” he told Autosport.

The Frenchman, though, feels the new regulations will also be good for McLaren as they look to return to the sharp end of the grid.

“It’s good we have this clean sheet of paper.

“I know we can do a very good job. We were pushing for the change because we believe in our capability to deliver a good car, so maybe it’s a way to close the gap even further.

“It’s a new era. We are at the end of a cycle and you are trying to fine-tune performance everywhere.

“With different aerodynamics next year, with a bigger wing, a bigger floor, when you are used to finding one point a week in the windtunnel, now you want 10, and it’s ‘wow!’ because every time you try something it’s a massive gain.”