Controversial diffuser designs legal – report

Tue, 3 February 2009, 07:59

Feb.3 (GMM) Williams and Toyota believe their controversial diffuser designs for 2009 are legal, and it is likely the FIA will not intervene, according to the Swiss publication Motorsport Aktuell

It was reported last week that rival teams expressed concerns about the legitimacy of the two teams’ separate designs, after “clever aerodynamic shaping” was used to sidestep the regulation about the maximum height of 175mm

Motorsport Aktuell, however, claims that the designs – while using a loophole for extra bodywork not intended for diffusers – conform to the letter of the technical rules

Separate technical analysis published on F1’s official website describe Williams’ design as “highly innovative”, and Toyota’s “very interesting”, as both use clever shaping of the rear crash structure to effectively increase the height of the diffuser

It is believed that the teams in question, who are both powered by Toyota’s 2.4 litre V8 engines, separately got clearance from the FIA about their interpretations of the 2009 rules

The FIA has not confirmed publicly that the designs are legal, however, and an official protest can only be lodged by a rival team once the cars are presented for scrutineering in Australia late next month

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