Diffuser Controversy

[Ali]

BMW will also lodge a protest against three teams, Autosport reports:

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http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/73899

What is more:

Four teams have officially lodged protests with the Australian race stewards regarding the design of three rival outfits' cars. Ferrari, BMW, Renault and Red Bull protested following Thursday's scrutineering, which saw the three cars in question - Williams' FW31, the Toyota TF109 and Brawn GP's 001 - all cleared to race.

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http://www.planet-f1.com/story/0,18954,3213_5101688,00.html

[AzShadow]

So now the cars are legal. The rival teams will probably take this to FIA's International Court of Appeal although I don't see how it would change anything. Then again, FIA changes its mind all the time.

[Ali]

So now the cars are legal. The rival teams will probably take this to FIA's International Court of Appeal although I don't see how it would change anything. Then again, FIA changes its mind all the time.

Actually it's not signed and sealed yet. Tonight, FIA will reach a conclusion about the matter. So it's pending right now. As Autosport reports, BMW's protest was rejected as they couldn't prepare paper work due time.

One way or another, we won't know the winner of Oz until possible-appeal will be finalized. Races should be won while racing. I find this situation quite annoying.

[AzShadow]

The problem is that FIA should have one opinion on the matter and state clearly if the diffuser designs are allowed or not. Instead they have Mosley, Whiting, stewards and the Court of Appeal, all that might have a different stance.

[Ali]

Mosley said "It is a clever design but I don't know what stewards will decide if any team protest."

John Howett from Toyota said "No, we enquired with Charlie Whiting and got the green light."

How could we expect a "just and fair" decision while we know in the past even FIA appealed the decision of their own stewards. Situation is so cloudy.

[Ali]

Stewards clear teams' diffusers
Brawn GP, Williams and Toyota have been given the go-ahead to take part in the Australian Grand Prix after the FIA stewards rejected a protest against the design of their diffusers late on Thursday night.

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http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/73915

So fair game!

[AzShadow]

So it's International Court of Appeal next. Phew, they should just get on with it and everyone start designing their own diffusers.

[Ali]

But it may not be possible for small teams to copy it and re-design whole thing. I think Red Bull will appeal it. Ferrari and BMW might use their "already" designed diffusor. Geez, what a season.

[megasyxx]

it's "copy - paste time", so to speak

[JoostLamers]

Ferrari, Renault and RBR disagree with the decision of the FIA. They're going to protest against the decision of the stewards to clear the teams diffusers

[Ali]

Ferrari, Renault and RBR disagree with the decision of the FIA. They're going to protest against the decision of the stewards to clear the teams diffusers

Yeah, they are not happy with that but they already pledged their protests, which were rejected. The only option they have is to appeal the stewards' decision. They are told that they submitted their intention to appeal, which should be supported within three 3 days in writing.

[TwistedArmco]

I think that if with a good argument, it can be argued that the letter of the regulations has been fulfilled, than you can only laud the teams for innovation. This is what we wanted, isn't it? Some great developments. You can kind of blame the FIA for not seeing the possibility of a loophole, but I'm glad its there. Kudos to Williams, Toyota and Brawn.

[AzShadow]

ARTICLE 3 : BODYWORK AND DIMENSIONS
One of the purposes of the regulations under Article 3 below is to minimize the detrimental effect that the wake of
a car may have on a following car.

Furthermore, infinite precision can be assumed on certain dimensions provided it is clear that such an assumption
is not being made in order to circumvent or subvert the intention of the relevant regulation.

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http://argent.fia.com/web/fia-public.nsf/7C4F8D883039AF6AC125757D00369C58/$FILE/1-2009_F1_TECHNICAL_REGULATIONS_Showing-Alterations_17-03-2009.pdf

Here's Autosport's analysis of the diffusers in January:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/73083

[JoostLamers]

These cars are soo illegal! I can't be true that the 6 controversial cars are in the top 7. They have to do something about it!

[phillyred79]

What's interesting is that some of the opposing teams insist that those using the diffusers in question are gaining a .5s advantage.. If you look at Friday's prac 1 and 2 times it is clear that the Williams car is consistently the fastest out there with Toyota and BrawnGP usually in the top 10, but interesting that Mar Weber's RBR-Renault finished 4th fastest in prac 2 on Friday.. So, I guess my point- is the difference in diffuser design that crucial or has Williams just put together a solid package? I'm guessing the latter. Also, do we know for sure who is and isn't running KERS this weekend? I think I remember BrawnGP stating they weren't for sure and BMW's is race-ready.. I'm pretty sure Mclaren, Ferrari, and Williams are running theirs.