The Official F1 2009 Thread

[hugh jass]

if the diffusers are legal and legit, BMW, Ferrari and McMerc have allot of catching up to do, if not, then your right it should put everyone at a more equal level, and maybe we can once again see what Kubica can do.

if diffusers are outlawed, only outlaws will have diffusers. think about THAT.

[323iNathan]

I don't think they really have that much catching up to do. The biggest aerodynamic contributor to lap time on a formula 1 car is the floor and diffuser. So if the 'non-diffuser' teams introduce their own double-decker-diffuser after the hearing then the margins will all but disappear.

I've read a few articles that explain how the difference between having and not having the controversial diffuser means about half a second per lap. That being the case, in a few weeks the fastest car will be Red Bull, COME ON WEBBER! haha

[Fel]

Yeah, all the teams have one of these fancy diffusers being developed on the side.... if they go legal, I doubt they'll make it onto the cars by the time China comes around, but soon they'll turn up and the playing field will be a bit more level again.

The hearing is today, it's expected that the ruling will be announced sometime around tomorrow afternoon.

[YAN-3]

Yeah, all the teams have one of these fancy diffusers being developed on the side.... if they go legal, I doubt they'll make it onto the cars by the time China comes around, but soon they'll turn up and the playing field will be a bit more level again.

The hearing is today, it's expected that the ruling will be announced sometime around tomorrow afternoon.

dude, i am more than sure that Ferrari, BMW and McMerc have something in the works, just in case it is legal. I dont think they just sat back and hoped for the diffusers to be illegal. If the double (& triple) diffusers are still good, i think well see more of them as soon as the next race, if not in China

[E30Kaiser]

Renault has already said that they already have a diffuser ready for use just in case. So i am sure Ferrari, BMW, and Mclaren are in the same boat and probably the other teams as well.

[tg318is]

diffusers deemed legal by FIA.

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/4/9175.html

[TDE30]

Oh well, at least it's settled and won't be dragged on for the duration of the season like the McLaren thing at the Aussie GP with the stewards. The next few races preceding China will be very, very interesting. It wouldn't even surprise me if some teams already have these modified rear diffusers with them at the Chinese GP in case the ruling turned out the way it did.

[Jon325i]

Now that "diffuser-gate" is over, it is going to be interesting to see what the other teams develop according to their revised interpretation of the rule - and more importantly - whose design is going to yield the greatest gains when compared to their performance so far this season. Mario Theissen @ BMW/Sauber has been on record saying they were already developing a replacement diffuser should their appeal with the FIA be denied. I'm sure the other teams' followed suit.

There's no doubt, this weekends' race in China should be a good one.


Jon

[z31maniac]

The next few races preceding China will be very, very interesting.

I'm just curious what is going to be interesting about Austrailia and Malaysia now that they have happened.

I'm guessing you meant succeeding.

[TDE30]

I'm just curious what is going to be interesting about Austrailia and Malaysia now that they have happened.

I'm guessing you meant succeeding.

Yes, good job, I meant succeeding or following. Just a bit tired this morning.

[Fel]

dude, i am more than sure that Ferrari, BMW and McMerc have something in the works, just in case it is legal. I dont think they just sat back and hoped for the diffusers to be illegal. If the double (& triple) diffusers are still good, i think well see more of them as soon as the next race, if not in China

The next race is China... but I don't know if the new diffusers will make an appearence.

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/4/9170.html

If the Court deems the diffusers legal, then it will leave the other seven teams on the grid playing catch-up. Many have already begun development of similar diffuser designs - thought to be worth as much as half a second per lap - which, if required, could be introduced as early as the Bahrain Grand Prix later this month.

[Jon325i]

The next race is China... but I don't know if the new diffusers will make an appearence.

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/4/9170.html

I think some will - teams like Ferrari and McLaren have vast resources to do rapid prototype, manufacture and ship a new component for these "fly away" venues. Since the new rules also impose a lot of limits on testing, race weekends are likely to be used as a parts testing session as well to see if the design they have works or not. Some teams may nail it on the first try, others will probably go back to the drawing board once or twice before they are happy.

Where Brawn/Toyota/Williams have a distinct advantage is that their '09 cars were designed from the beginning with these 'double-decker' diffusers in mind. The other teams will be simply adding on a new part which could negatively impact other aero designs already in place, which could make trying to find a good balance difficult. They are definately going to be playing catch-up.


Jon

[tg318is]

renault have said they made one straight after their appeal jsut incase it was legal. i doubt the other teams were stupid enough to wait for the verdict to start on theirs

[Hick]

horay for legal diffusers.

Button '09...

its a shame the 'gold medal' idea didnt pass. the teams could of saved up a bunch of money by packing up after the 8th race

[TDE30]

It's official, Ron Dennis has left Formula One. What a shame to see such a dynamic figure forced out due to all of the politics and associated bullshit. Stand-up guy, hopefully he'll make his way over to DTM and help out Norbert Haug and the numerous Mercedes teams.