Five teams already focused on new diffusers

At least five teams have already turned their attention to copying the Brawn-esque diffuser design, according to gossip as the Albert Park paddock packed up ahead of this week's dash to Malaysia.

The appeal against the stewards' decision to allow the controversial diffusers to race in Australia will only be heard in Paris next month, but it is rumoured that BMW, Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari and Renault are resigned to going down the path of readying for a negative outcome.

"For us it is not really possible to copy it," BMW's Nick Heidfeld told the German news agency SID, "because not everything on our car can be changed at short notice."

Red Bull's Christian Horner added : "The ramifications could be the whole rear half of the car which obviously has a huge amount of cost implications in a not fantastic economic time."

Whispers indicate McLaren is quite advanced with a 'double decker' diffuser design, and the Spanish newspaper Marca said Renault - despite boss Flavio Briatore's anger - is also working on the issue.

The sports newspaper said the same is true for Ferrari, while Fernando Alonso could be racing a new diffuser by the time of next month's Chinese grand prix.



"What is happening with the diffusers is stupid, forcing teams to spend money in a time of crisis," Briatore fumed.

"It is also about safety: we have already put similar pieces in our wind tunnel and it gives 14 per cent more downforce. That is not in the spirit of the regulations. And once they are developed we could be talking 30 or 40 per cent additional," Briatore added.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner said the team's design department began investigating the 'double diffuser' weeks ago during winter testing.

"There is lap time to be gained," he told the BBC.

"The diffuser issues opens up a development path that was not previously open. That is potentially big performance gain because the floor is the most powerful aerodynamic tool on the car," Horner added.


F1 : Five teams already focused on new diffusers - F1 - F1-Live.com

I 'm sure that once the other teams copy the diffuser , brawn gp will have their advantage cut down quite significantly

The verdict is expected on April 14th. After that within probably 2 or 3 weeks, most of the other teams would be having new diffusers. Brawn needs to make the most of the opportunity right now.

May is the start of European season. Brawn can take a significant lead by then which would not be that easy to break.

Brawn will have a big advantage.

I doubt BrawnGP's strong advantage lies wonly in their diffusers, it must be the entire aero/engine/suspension etc package... even if the other teams copy, they may not be able to catch up... but then again, time will tell...

But if their engines are also Mercedes based, so other cars lost coz of their drivers

These "illegal" diffuser designs are supposed to produce a decrease in lap timing by as much as 0.5 seconds.. That is a huggge difference in F1 where timings are measured in .00x secs.

Its been always tradition of F1 to steal details of other leaders of the season and copy them on to own cars.

will be an interesting watch.

Originally Posted by vishalrao

I doubt BrawnGP's strong advantage lies wonly in their diffusers, it must be the entire aero/engine/suspension etc package... even if the other teams copy, they may not be able to catch up... but then again, time will tell...

I agree with you...copying the diffuser and then adapting an existing package to it will take time. By that time, Brawn GP will be miles ahead if they can keep up their Melbourne form. Lets just wait and watch if any of the big teams have got an answer to that.

The well-financed teams might have an answer, albeit a delayed one..! It might just be a little too late by the time the other teams catch up with the new design..

BTW, all this talk is assuming the verdict is in favour of the "illlegal" diffuser right..? What happens if they are pronounced illegal..? Would the teams be disqualified..?