Apparently the latest scandalous rumour to be going around the F1 circus circles are that certain Formula 1 teams have taken advantage of a loophole in the rules to design diffusers that help create better and more consistent downforce. This involves enlarging the hole in the diffuser for the starter motor to pass through.
Certain teams have intentionally used excesively larger starter motors so that they can make larger holes in their diffuser, thus getting them the intended aerodynamic benefit. Reports going around the net claim that the ‘diffusergate’ teams are McLaren, Mercedes, Renault and Force India, and that the FIA have ordered them to modify their diffuser designs.
McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh confirmed in Bahrain last weekend that his team was one of the teams that are under investigation over the matter.”There are holes in the diffuser for the starter, the hole in ours is no bigger than the one on the championship winning car last year and also no bigger than it is on about four other cars,” he said.
There’s no real wrongdoing here – just a clever workaround the rules, but the FIA is said to be stepping in to get them to conform to realististic sizses ‘in the spirit of rules’. UPDATE: Apparently a note has been sent out clarifying the maximum starter hole dimensions allowed.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
If they would have done this last season, Brawn & Jenson would pretty much not be at where they were at the end of that season..
Ferrari and Red Bull is doing fine without a bigger hole or diffuser!
Go Petronas GO. strategy vs rules vs skill= the best man win.
Dude!! This news is old… the loopnhole is closed….. Pls refer to this link…
http://en.espnf1.com/australia/motorsport/story/1…
"rules are for the obedience of fools and interpretation of wise men"
– Anthony Colin Bruce Chapman
F1 management are a bunch of jokers.
Thetyand all the F1 teams got played out by Braun last year !!!
This year they wanna be picky …. what double stds !!!
Don't confuse the story. FIA still allows double/triple decker diffusers exploitation but the exploitation of the starter motor hole was just too much as it was a bit too blatant compared to other areas and so they have clamped down on the hole.
Anyway double/triple diffusers will be completely banned next year so all the money teams are and will continue to spend this year developing that area will go down the drain for next year.. and I thought they F1 wanted to control costs and stop unnecessary spending..
whatever. just make it the race more interesting. The 1st race in bahrain is so boring with few overtakings, itu pun sebab kereta red bull rosak. Bring in people like Montoya hahahaha!!!
what has already happen to this site? totally diff.. now our comment people can easily reply..get ready to bash..
FIA are bunch of jokers……Ok with double decker diffuser, not ok with this….then change the rules some more…..next season no pit stop allowed. The only Reason Alonso win the 2 world championship is because they ban tire change and thus Bridgestone equipped Ferrari are not competitive. I have nothing against Alonso, but I don't think the FIA is fair.
Tire war is great. Ferrari is the one at fault for their failure in 2005 and 2006
seasons. They were the one who chose bridgestone after all. Single-make tire
is one of the main reason the races becoming so damn boring. Bring back tire war!!!!
Don't understand what you meant about 'next season no pit stop allowed' and Alonso won 2 WDC because they 'banned tyre change'? when did that happen? And Bridgestone made Ferrari uncompetitive? How so? I thought Ferrari had such a strong relationship with Bridgestone that they enjoyed a lot of test time with Ferrari.
So are you talking about Formula One?
Alonso won his 1st Championship because Michelin got it right and Bridgestone screwed up in 2005. He won his 2nd championship fair & square in 2006, beating Schumacher to it.
And Ferrari's "downfall" so to speak, wasn't really caused by unfairness. They had a new management team, new technical director, new driver etc. Need time to gel. If anything, FIA's often been called the Ferrari International Assistance, since many of the ruling had benefited Ferrari. During the tyre war, Ferrari and Bridgestone protested against Michelin several times, and almost everytime they won.
In fact, they blunted Michelin's charge in 2003, when several Michelin runners were neck & neck with Schumi in the championship. The complained that the Michelin tyres contravened FIA regulations on width, even though the Michelin spec was same since 2001. Only when their dominance was threatened did they act. Ferrari won the championship that year.
FIA can't fault the engineers for being innovative.
Its not bridgestone fault. Just that Michelin was far superior in Alonso era. Ferrari were the only bridgestone team coming close to competing. Other bridgestone user suffer greatly.