Diffusers ruled legal by the International Court of Appeal

Ed · Post by Ed » Thu Mar 12, 2009 12:42 pm

With the season opener in Melbourne just over two weeks away, Renault F1 team boss Flavio Briatore claims that at least 3 F1 cars are illegal as they are interpreting the rules differently from what is understood.

The main area of contention is the rear diffuser and how the teams interpreted the new rules regarding it.

Renault were badly affected by the engine rule freeze as a number of other teams managed to get performance improvements through allowed modifications that are supposed to be for reliablity improvements only.

Teams can only lodge official protests when the cars are inspected by the scrutineers prior to practice at the Australian Grand Prix. Teams can be asked to change certain parts on their cars if they are deemed illegal. Teams can then race on appeal but risk being stripped of their results if the appeal fails.

Related:
Three 2009 cars illegal - Briatore
Whiting inspects three cars at Barcelona

Ed · Post by Ed » Thu Mar 19, 2009 7:09 pm

The FIA technical delegate Charlie Whiting has acknowledged that a number of teams have used a 'loophole' in the regulations relating to the rear diffuser. Those teams however were not told to change their designs opening the real possibility of protests and challenges at the Australian Grand Prix. Renault and Ferrari have recently voiced concerns about how other teams went around the regulations.

Related: Diffuser designs use rule 'loophole' - Whiting

jido · Post by **jido** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 7:52 am

I rather agree with Flavio on this, despite what Sam Michael says. If the rules are intended for a specific design with restrictions, then either the new design should not be used or there should be similar restrictions on the new design.

How hard is it to add a new restriction in the rules?

Ed · Post by Ed » Fri Mar 20, 2009 9:03 am

jido wrote:I rather agree with Flavio on this, despite what Sam Michael says. If the rules are intended for a specific design with restrictions, then either the new design should not be used or there should be similar restrictions on the new design.

How hard is it to add a new restriction in the rules?

Well, it isn't hard to do but for the teams who are using the loophole, it is very hard as they will have to change the back of the car and with no testing during the season, it will take long for them to catch up. Now the same argument can be said for the teams who didn't exploit the loophole. Behind closed doors though, both camps would be already working on alternative designs.

So it is tricky and it might have to be resolved by the FIA courts as I don't see either camp backing down.

Ed · Post by Ed » Sat Mar 21, 2009 11:51 pm

FIA President Max Mosley has confirmed that the FIA have recieved detailed objections on the controversial rear diffuser design of the Brawn, Toyota and Williams teams.

He admitted that there wasn't enough time to make a ruling on the matter and teams could make a 'very good case' for its legality or otherwise.

He has left it in the hands of the stewards who will have to rule on it if they recieve an official protest. The team or teams in question would most likely appeal the decision and it would then have to go to the Court of Appeal.

Looks like the 2009 F1 Season is off to a rocky start even before the action starts!

Related: Melbourne to stage diffuser showdown - Mosley

Julian Mayo · Post by **Julian Mayo** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 5:49 am

Seems that F1 is determined to carry on shooting itself in the foot.
Fools making rules keep only lawyers happy..............

Ed · Post by Ed » Tue Mar 24, 2009 6:32 pm

It is reported that Red Bull have delcared that the diffusers used by Williams, Toyota and Brawn are illegal. Red Bull are claiming that both them and Renault have requested a clarification on this matter early last year from the FIA and recieved a negative response!
This however contradicts with Pat Symonds from Renault who described the controversial diffuser as "

Related: Red Bull declares controversial diffusers 'illegal'

Symonds backs divisive diffuser designs

Julian Mayo · Post by **Julian Mayo** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 4:10 am

The stewards have declared the diffusers to be legal.

Ed · Post by Ed » Thu Apr 09, 2009 6:12 pm

Details have emerged on the Appeal set to take place next Tuesday the 14th of April to rule on the legality of the diffusers designed by Williams, Toyota and Brawn.

The FIA statement reads:

The following hearing of the International Court of Appeal will take place in Paris:

Hearing

Appeals lodged by:

- OSK/ÖAMTC on behalf of its competitor Red Bull Racing;
- FFSA on behalf of its competitor ING Renault F1 Team; and
- CSAI on behalf of Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro

against decisions numbered 16 to 24 taken by the Panel of the Stewards on 26 March 2009 at the 2009 Grand Prix of Australia and counting towards the 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship

Prior to the 2009 Grand Prix of Australia, Red Bull Racing, ING Renault F1 and Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro submitted protests to the Panel of Stewards arguing that the cars of Brawn GP Formula One Team, AT&T Williams and Panasonic Toyota Racing did not comply with the 2009 Formula One Technical Regulations. The disputes relate in particular to the technical design of the diffuser devices used by the latter three teams. The Panel of the Stewards rejected the protests submitted.

Red Bull Racing, ING Renault F1 and Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro have (through their respective ASNs) appealed the Stewards’ decisions.

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, Brawn GP Formula One Team, AT&T Williams, BMW Sauber F1 Team and Panasonic Toyota Racing have (through their respective ASNs) asked to be heard by the Court.

When

10.00 hrs
Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Where

FIA Salle du Comité,
8, place de la Concorde,
75008 Paris

Decision

The decisions are expected on Wednesday, April 15, 2009, in the afternoon.

Ed · Post by Ed » Thu Apr 09, 2009 6:15 pm

Latest articles on the diffuser issue:

McLaren to be heard at diffuser appeal

Coulthard thinks FIA will approve diffusers

Ed · Post by Ed » Tue Apr 14, 2009 8:35 pm

The diffuser appeal is to be heard today. The decision is expected tomorrow.
There is no clear concensus on how the decision will go as both camps have very strong and compelling arguments.
If the "double" diffusers are banned then Brawn GP, Toyota and Williams will have serious issues modifying their cars for China and this will make ruling them illegal very difficult.
If the "double" diffusers aren't banned, the other teams will start introducing them from the Spanish Grand Prix onwards.

The next 24 hours will be very interesting!

Related: Glock 'uneasy' as FIA settles diffuser saga

Julian Mayo · Post by **Julian Mayo** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:14 pm

RedBull seem to think they can modify the entire rear end fairly smartly if need be, but are decrying the added cost.............

Ed · Post by Ed » Wed Apr 15, 2009 1:40 am

It is reported from the court hearing that Renault already requested clarification on the diffuser in the middle of last year and the FIA deemed it illegal!

More: Renault ready to use new diffuser - lawyer

Julian Mayo · Post by **Julian Mayo** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 6:23 am

If that is the case F1, and the FIA, are running out of ways to make fools of themselves, surely? There can't be any footspace left for bulletholes.
The FIA deems a body part illegal, then sits on it's hands while it is used in the first 2 races of the season.......................tho' on reflection I would not be at all surprised.

mlittle · Post by **mlittle** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 6:58 am

Julian Mayo wrote:If that is the case F1, and the FIA, are running out of ways to make fools of themselves, surely? There can't be any footspace left for bulletholes.
The FIA deems a body part illegal, then sits on it's hands while it is used in the first 2 races of the season.......................tho' on reflection I would not be at all surprised.

I just wonder why it's taking so long for them to make a decision; then again, they're probably looking for a reason to overturn the stewards' decision on the legality of the diffusers just so they can make Ferrari and McLaren happy. FWIW, I hope the FIA tells them the diffusers are legal and then tells them to go pound sand.