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[SarahB62]

FIA aware of rear diffuser issue

By Jonathan Noble Thursday, January 29th 2009, 17:35 GMT


The FIA is aware of teams exploiting diffuser regulations after approving a design related to the intrigue surrounding Williams and Toyota, autosport.com has learned, but the governing body has drawn short of confirming whether both teams' cars are okay.

As autosport.com reported last night, a number of teams are set to seek clarification from the FIA about the way that the diffusers on the Williams and Toyota cars appear, through clever use of the rear crash structures, to exceed the maximum height of 175 mm.

Renault executive director of engineering Pat Symonds told Autosport: "They (the diffusers) are certainly interesting, although I don't think I can comment on their legality.

"That's something for the FIA to comment on. We will be asking the FIA about it, but we haven't yet."

The Williams diffuser has a low centre section, well below the 175mm height limit, before a higher steeper element further back creates a second section around the rear crash structure.

The extra area of the Toyota diffuser is based in a 15 centimetre wide zone at the centre of the car where teams are allowed to fit extra bodywork. This has created a longer centre tunnel for air.

Although Williams and Toyota have not commented officially on the designs, sources from both teams suggest they are confident their designs are legal.

It is not clear when rival teams will contact the FIA about the Toyota and Williams designs, but a high level source at the governing body has confirmed that it is aware of the situation.

The source also said that approval for one diffuser design had been granted - although would not state whether it was a design that currently featured on any of the cars.

The source told autosport.com: "The FIA has had some correspondence with Toyota about diffusers but hasn't actually seen what they've been testing.

"One design has been approved by the FIA but we cannot confirm that it is the design in question."

Should the FIA confirm to rival teams that the design concepts of the Williams and Toyota cars are legal, then it may force a number of outfits to redesign the rear of their cars prior to the start of the season.

[Jabberwocky]

I think all the other teams are pee'd off because they did not think of it

[7UpJordan]

The FIA better not ban Williams' diffuser, particularly after Pat Symonds had these comments to make about the new FW31 during testing last week.

"Obviously I don't know what the fuel loads were, but they were long runs, so I don't think there will be a huge difference. I do think at the moment that the Williams is probably quicker than us, but I don't think it's by two seconds."

"I don't really know where we are relative to other people. I was impressed with the speed of the Williams – there's no doubt about that – but let's see what we've got in those last couple of tests."

I don't want to prematurely hatch some chickens, but either the new Renault is going to be a flop, of the FW31 is looking quick. And if the FIA ban the new diffuser, that's going to really pile on the tenths of a second.

[Jabberwocky]

perhaps Renault is sandbaging

[texasmr2]

perhaps Renault is sandbaging

Perhap's and I myself try not to fall into the trap of all the off-season propaganda, too many years of experience, as no team wants to display their full hand of cards so to speak before the first race.

[Jabberwocky]

unless they are the failing Prost team

[7UpJordan]

unless they are the failing Prost team

If the car's slow you could pretty much nail it on that slabby front wing.

[racechick]

I think all the other teams are pee'd off because they did not think of it

Some sought clarification last year and were told they couldnt do it but it may have depended how the question was phrased. Either way the FIA have two choices; they declare it illegal and Toyota and Williams have to redesign or they declare it legal and McLaren, Ferrari, BMW , Renault have to redesign, if they don't they will be at too much of a disadvantage. So... which way will it go????

[bud]

I think all the other teams are pee'd off because they did not think of it

maybe they did think of it but didnt use it because they didnt think it was legal.

[Jabberwocky]

I am sure most of the teams have evaluated all the other teams designs by now and would only need to get it made.

I think Ferrari and co could better afford to go to the extra cost of designing them than making an already struggling Williams go to the extra cost.

If the FIA said it was bad then why did 2 teams carry on with the design? perhaps they did not get the memo!

[racechick]

I am sure most of the teams have evaluated all the other teams designs by now and would only need to get it made.

I think Ferrari and co could better afford to go to the extra cost of designing them than making an already struggling Williams go to the extra cost.

If the FIA said it was bad then why did 2 teams carry on with the design? perhaps they did not get the memo!

Those two teams are confident they are legal so who knows what the FIA said to who??

[7UpJordan]

The FIA have a history of screwing Williams just as bad as McLaren, ever since they refused to sign the concorde agreement once and they along with McLaren and Tyrrell got fined.

[bud]

Piquet checking out his Renaults Diffuser to compare notes

[Jabberwocky]

at least he got his head out of his arse

[Gert]

If in doubt ask Ferrari if the Toyota/Williams diffuser is good for them. If so, allow it, if not, ban it. That might put a split in FOTA's unity eh Max?