FIA willing to dump diffuser rule, but…

F1 News
Date: 9/July/2011

FIA, governing body of the Formula One World Championship, is prepared to dump the controversial clampdown on 'off-throttle blown diffusers' which has overshadowed this weekend's British Grand Prix.

From Silverstone onwards, the FIA wanted to prevent the use of 'off-throttle' exhaust gases being manipulated to generate downforce under the car, via the diffuser.

As such, limits were put in place regarding how much throttle opening was allowed when the driver took his foot off the accelerator. Restrictions were also placed on off-throttle ignition, to stop fuel being used to 'boost' exhaust gases under braking.

But several engine manufacturers were able to successfully argue that certain concessions were needed for reliability reasons.

To the surprise of most of the paddock, Renault was allowed to run at 50 per cent throttle opening - instead of 10 per cent - while Mercedes was allowed to continue burning fuel in half of the eight-cylinders under braking.

McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh and Red Bull head Christian Horner were then involved in a heated exchange during the Friday afternoon press conference, when each accused the other of gaining an unfair advantage.

McLaren, whose stance was backed by Ferrari and, naturally, Mercedes GP, looked to win the day when the FIA announced that Renault's 50 per cent concession was to be scrapped from Saturday morning practice onwards.

Ironically, Red Bull went on to qualify first and second for Sunday's race with Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel, while McLaren suffered more than most under the new rules, with Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton only fifth and tenth on the grid for their home race.

But with the diffuser controversy continuing to overshadow the on-track show, the FIA has now offered to ditch the new 'off-throttle' restrictions until the end of the season.

However, having warned that the new restrictions were needed because some of the (lesser) teams might have protested the race results, unanimous agreement to keep the technology will be needed among the teams.

This means the leading teams will need to convince their middle and lower ranking rivals - the majority of which are not as reliant on the technology - to allow the biggest and best teams to keep it 'for the good of the sport'.

Not an easy sell.