The FIA explains blown diffusers

It was somewhat to everyone’s surprise that the FIA announced, before the Spanish Grand Prix, its intention to cut the wind from the blown diffusers using exhaust gases. This technical trick, introduced by Red Bull and Renault last year, allows engines to produce, thanks to a specific operating map, a constant stream of gas, even when the throttle is no longer engaged: « It appeared to us, through data examination, that what we believed to be a benign trick was, since then, used illegally, in our opinion. The exhaust is designed for the expulsion of engine gases and when the throttle is no longer pressed, it should no longer do so. However, it is used [by certain teams] to influence the aerodynamic characteristics of the car. We believe, without a doubt, that this violates Article 3.15 of the technical regulations. »

Some, however, were surprised by the FIA’s intervention – after a request for clarification from Williams – given that the season is already well underway and this trick has been no secret for many months: « These kinds of things seem minor at first, then they get worse and worse » explains Charlie Whiting, who fears escalation. « Now, we have to deal with solutions that are becoming increasingly extreme. We felt it was time to do something. »

However, if initially the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, through technical directive no. 15, had expressed its intention to curb the use of exhaust gases with immediate effect, it granted a technical and logistical reprieve to the teams until June but reaffirms its intentions: « In light of what we have learned since we sent our initial note to the teams, we felt that it required more discussions. […] We will discuss this at the next Technical Group meeting on June 16th. We will establish a schedule after that. However, we have been clear that this system violates the regulations. We are not backing down on the substance, we are delaying the compliance timeline. »

The FIA does not intend, however, to challenge anything but a drift in the exploitation of exhaust gases and not the entire system: « We understand the fact that exhaust gases have to exit from somewhere and that teams do their best to gain an advantage from it. We have never had an issue with the position of the exhausts. »

Some teams, starting with HRT, are already threatening a technical protest after the next Monaco Grand Prix, which Charlie Whiting thinks is possible without prejudging the final decision of the stewards: « It’s always possible, and we have been clear with the teams that it could happen. […] We have always assured, in the technical directives we have sent for many years now, that it is simply the opinion of the technical department and that anyone was free to lodge a protest with the stewards. It doesn’t happen that often, but it has happened in the past. »