Mosley: Diffuser row imminent
Eurosport - Sat, 21 Mar 14:16:00 2009
A row over the legality of three teams' cars is likely to erupt at Formula One's Australian season-opener next week and rumble on well beyond that, according to motor racing chief Max Mosley.
The International Automobile Federation (FIA) president told the Daily Telegraph that he expected teams to protest the rear diffusers on the Brawn GP, Toyota and Williams cars in Melbourne.
"It's a very clever device and you can make a very good case for saying that it's legal and a very good case for saying that it's illegal," Mosley said. "It's going to be difficult.
"What's actually happened is that teams are saying 'We think it's illegal for this and this reason'," he added.
"If there had been more time before the detailed objections to the system were sent in, I would probably have sent it to the FIA Court of Appeal before Australia. And actually I have given thought to that this week. But there isn't time.
"It wouldn't be fair. I think the thing will probably come to some sort of a head in Australia."
Brawn, the former Honda team under the new ownership of former Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn, have set the pace in recent tests while Toyota and Toyota-powered Williams have also been quick.
The regulations have undergone dramatic changes this season, particularly in the cars' aerodynamics.
There are grey areas, however, and the three teams have been accused of using too big a diffuser, a vital part designed to ensure the quick and smooth flow of air under the car and increase downforce.
Renault team boss Flavio Briatore said on Wednesday that the three teams had not respected the rules and he was considering making a protest.
Mosley said one possibility would be for the diffuser to be banned from the Spanish Grand Prix, the first race of the European season in Barcelona.
"But then those teams who say it is legal will say 'Why should we do that?' And those that say it's illegal will say 'Why should we lose an advantage for four races?'," added the Briton.
"And so probably what will happen is it will end up going to the stewards, who will make a decision. That will almost certainly be appealed by whichever side is disadvantaged. And then that will go to our Court of Appeal and be hammered out.
"It's not straightforward. I have an open mind on it at the moment - I can see it going either way. I really can. But somebody has to make their mind up and fortunately it's not my job," said Mosley.
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Comment 37 - 56 of 56
Perhaps the diffusers in question make the cars go quicker but they also make the cars easier to pass. The other teams may think a diffuser that disturbs more air behind them is a benefit. The whole purpose of the change in the rules was to make the rear wings disturb less air so it would allow for more passing. It seems a team would want a wing that created the right amount of downforce for cornering, allow the car to go fast on the straights, and create as much turbulence for the car behind it. I really don't teams like Ferrari, McLaren and Renault would have any problem keeping up with Brawn, Williams and Toyota when it comes to technology. As for Flavio's whining, maybe he caught whining disease from Alonso when he was with Renault?
Eccles being the other of the two I was referring to...
Excellent post #58 Spunky! It's divide and conquer tactics from the guy who put the M in the term "S & M". Maximum Masochism Mosely -- what a joke these two are.
There is no way but for the diffuser row to roll into Melbourne because contrary to the blab that has been going on as in everything else there are a set of procedures to be followed, the trouble is that most probably the racing will be spoiled by the row and appeals
stivsf1.
Thanks for answering. -I understand now.
I wasn't referring to post 26- I was referring to your posts over the last couple of weeks.
Just a couple of things - why did you react in the way you did, rather than just say what was bothering you? And are you sure that the posts that you objected to were really written by those people?
Anyway, it doesn't matter now.
Be good- enjoy the season.
Has anyone here ACTUALLY seen the diffusers on the cars in question? Unlikely. Has anyone other than Flavio voiced any concern to date about the diffusers? No. Has Flavio moaned pre season every year for the last three years about something on another car that might be illegal and be a reason why his team is going to be beaten? Yes. Has any other team leader mentioned the diffusers in question and commented that they felt nothing was wrong with them? Yes, three times. Has Max Moseley even breathed a word about them until he was publicly humiliated on Friday by FOTA for breaking the sporting code of conduct trying to implement changes illegally? No. Is Max simply trying to stir up a hornets nest to divert peoples attention from the real issue of him unquestionably abusing the power he has? Yes. Put the fact together properly people and link them all up before you make random comments about hoping teams get banned blah blah.
Well not really, then rear wing is a whole different ball game, the diffuser is underneath the car.
Well not really, then rear wing is a whole different ball game, the diffuser id underneath the car.
You'd think that Ross Brawn knows enough about the rules and technical regs to know EXACTLY what he is doing. The fact the Brawn, Toyota and Williams have made similar designs would indicate that perhaps the other teams have not looked into this area in sufficient detail. If it was just one team/designer that was doing this then perhaps they are trying to bend the rules but three????
Also how do Flavio Briatore and the FIA know for sure that the diffusers on these three cars may be in breach of the regulations? Has someone has been over them with a tape measure? Perhaps the Renault team have got hold of some detailed technical details or drawings? HA HA HA!
I remember back when I was designing and racing the RAC rules always had a catch-all and the end "If in doubt don't!"
One will be a welcome member of the exclusive righteous gang club if he continuously be personal and use disparage names for BE and MM
Mike Q: I was just commenting that Williams, Toyota, and Brawn GP are trying to exploit the ruling about the rear wings, and that if these winglets and other styled rear wings that Williams, Toyota, and Brawn GP are allowed. This would bring back other aerodynamic devises that teams will try and place on their cars and make a mockery of the new aerodynamic rules that are now in place.
D.Bristow
damned invalids :-(
As the3 teams say why don't the other teams just copy their diffusers instead of complaining.
d.bristow
All the cars will be racing with Diffusers, it's just that Williams, Toyota & Brawn have got a different size and shape to the rest of the teams. They still comply with the wording of the rules although probably not with the spirit.
kwjibo, what you say makes complete sense, so clearly has no place in Spanky & Grumpy's world of F1. Innovation was what F1 was supposed to be all about, let them get on with it.
If Williams, Toyota, and Brawn GP are allowed to place these diffusers on their cars its going to bring back the aerodynamic winglets and other such aerodynamic peices on the cars. If this door is left open, its going to make a mockery of the new aerodynamic rules that have been set in place. Lets just hope that Williams, Toyota, and Brawn GP get disquailified if they use diffusers.
D.Bristow
If those 3 teams can show that it has not broken the rules then that should be the end of it if the FIA did not make the rule clear & somebody has found a way around it then love or hate those teams well done to them after all there will be nothing then to stop the rest doing the same so dont call the 3 teams cheats they have just been cleaver enough to take advantage of the rule makers messing up can any of you honestly say that if your favorite team had done the same you would be complaining about it then
To be considered an honorary member of this exclusive club and have a standing as poster 41 it’s ok to write the most vile and personal insults at anything FIA/MM/BE/FERRARI and their honorary presidents also about anybody that a minute ago was great but says something which is not music to our ears being British or not doesn’t matter, but watch out if you mention any member of this club you will risk being B.B.QUID.
Dear,chitty it cant be the right Bill Mac,look, look, he's got a button missing off his shirt, and did you notice how he spells GOBB.GOBB Mike, you know the openening in our head that lets us eat,and lets us talk about others,its not our business i know Mike,but we know nothing about formula one and its nice to play detectives.do you think all at yahoo laugh at our silly little games , i would hate to think people are really taking the piss at us?
"It's not my job." Besides getting your name in the paper, what exactly is your job, you stupid git?
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