FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[EwanM]

Mar.13 (GMM) Amid the din of the new ‘knee-gate’ saga, another technical controversy involving McLaren’s 2010 car has escaped the attention of the media.

The British team has been told by the FIA that the diffuser it is using this weekend in Bahrain may not be fitted to the MP4-25 in Melbourne in two weeks.

While the knee-activated air inlet system has been slammed by angry rivals and attracted widespread press coverage after clearance by the FIA, the car’s Sakhir-spec double diffuser was less favourably looked upon by scrutineers.

Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport said McLaren aerodynamically exploited the hole for the external engine starter, making it much bigger than necessary and thereby gaining another diffuser level.

After the enormous diffuser controversy of 2009, the saga has been kept quiet by McLaren simply agreeing to scrap the design after the chequered flag waves in Bahrain on Sunday.

http://www.yallaf1.com/2010/03/13/fia-t ... -diffuser/

Did people know about this? Sorry if it has already been posted

[vaptin]

I diddn't know at all, and it actually sounds like this is a done deal?

What exactly is the infringement?

[EwanM]

Not entirely sure. I think the FIA are moving to tighten the diffuser rules ahead of Australia. There was a written piece on the diffuser in this week's Autosport.

[antoniob]

I diddn't know at all, and it actually sounds like this is a done deal?

What exactly is the infringement?

This really dont surprise me. their "knee-gate" system is either not doing its work or that mclaren is a lot slower than is asumed. but i have to give in to them for innovation or rather trying to push the boundaries just to get some speed advantage on track. either way - non of the 'innovative' ideas actually works.

[Denthúl]

Well, now, that is very interesting... I wonder if they actually gain a significant advantage from that.

[7UpJordan]

It's odd because a few weeks ago there were rumours about the diffusers row flaring up again particularly over McLaren's diffuser and the so-called "super diffuser" of Mercedes', but since the blown-wing came along, it seems everybody's been distracted from the diffusers issue, and now the blown-wing has been cleared it seems McLaren have come out of one frying pan and straight into another.

[antoniob]

It's odd because a few weeks ago there were rumours about the diffusers row flaring up again particularly over McLaren's diffuser and the so-called "super diffuser" of Mercedes', but since the blown-wing came along, it seems everybody's been distracted from the diffusers issue, and now the blown-wing has been cleared it seems McLaren have come out of one frying pan and straight into another.

I suppose the FIA dont see too much or any advantage coming from it but may have decided that before any of the other teams probe that route, since some team is already doing so, it would be best if they remove the reason for maybe another DDD- gate..

[magunkey]

Seems to be issues over the Ferrari wheel design too.

[cap-dude]

geez, that would be a blow for McLaren, after the weekend their having. Some teams will copy their wing design and gain speed, whilst they loose some through this diffuser stuff.

[antoniob]

geez, that would be a blow for McLaren, after the weekend their having. Some teams will copy their wing design and gain speed, whilst they loose some through this diffuser stuff.

I think before they spend any money on copying that wing design they should try to make sure it works. mclaren is not boasting any speed at the moment.

[Gaz]

not sure this is true, as Mclaren were told to change the diff in Barcalona.

[antoniob]

not sure this is true, as Mclaren were told to change the diff in Barcalona.

Looks like renault was under the FIA's eyes as well. It seems they will be allowed to use it at bahrain but not further into the season.
found this on espn http://en.espnf1.com/bahrain/motorsport ... 11176.html

[cap-dude]

geez, that would be a blow for McLaren, after the weekend their having. Some teams will copy their wing design and gain speed, whilst they loose some through this diffuser stuff.

I think before they spend any money on copying that wing design they should try to make sure it works. mclaren is not boasting any speed at the moment.

McLaren easily topped all the speed traps today. It deffinetly works. Plus it's apparently not an expensive part.

[Jensonb]

That's odd, I'm sure somebody already pulled the exact same stunt last year and got away with it.

[antoniob]

That's odd, I'm sure somebody already pulled the exact same stunt last year and got away with it.

not sure I get what you saying. a little mclaren bias maybe ?