Blown diffusers permanently banned in 2012

The FIA has decided to review the engine regulations to prevent teams from blowing exhaust gases even when the driver releases the accelerator pedal. This system, implemented by Red Bull and Renault, allowed exhaust gases from the engine to blow over the diffuser even when the driver was not accelerating, which generated more downforce.

The rivals of the Austrian team adopted the concept, and the FIA eventually decided to ban it because it violates the regulations by intervening in the aerodynamics of the car, which is prohibited. Most teams wanted to continue using this system for another year to avoid having to shelve their car designs for 2012, but several teams – Ferrari, Sauber, and HRT – wanted a total ban on this system from 2012 and were heard by the FIA.

Mark Webber had even suggested that things might remain unchanged in 2012, or at least that an exploitation of the regulations could allow this system to continue being used.

Maybe we can still use this concept (in 2012). There are rumors saying that this (low blowing) will continue, Webber told the Brazilian media O Estado de S.Paulo.

According to several sources in the paddock, several major teams hoped to be able to keep this system because their 2012 cars were designed with this blown diffuser system, which would have required them to plan for a larger fuel tank, among other things, because the engine consumes more fuel with this blown diffuser system.

The FIA has finally confirmed the ban on blown diffusers from 2012, and any car incorporating such a system will be deemed illegal given Article 3.15 of the technical regulations, which states that «any driver-operated device to alter the aerodynamic characteristics of the car is prohibited».

But according to several observers in the F1 world, discussions between teams could, however, lead to a return of diffuser blowing as early as the 2013 season.