Speaking of the 107% rule, it was interesting Glock was saying that Virgin might struggle in Barcelona, at least that'll probably be less of an issue for them. With the engine mappings though, Red Bull have got it down to a fine art, so they'll be able to scale it back just enough to meet the requirements, with max performance. Other teams may not have explored the technique thoroughly enough to find the most advantage within the limits.
Further to my last, I tend to agree with José Lorca that Ferrari seem best positioned to gain from this. And following on from that, here's a bit of cynicism: It is highly unusual for such a radical change to be enforced mid-season. For this reason, I believe the FIA are very confident that their 'special' team will not be disadvantaged and it is entirely possible that this was the motivator behind the decision.
RBR struggled to incorporate the DDD into their design in 2009 IIRC, and again with the f-duct last season. If Newey has a chink in his armour it's the lengths he goes to to extract every last ounce of performance out of the design, with each step reducing flexibility and the ability to adopt and adapt.
well well many of these theories seem to agree and disagree and yet they all seem right, it will be interesting to see Vettel wipe the smiles off our faces once more on saturday Fun stuff Formula 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sB1d2SNro4&feature=player_embedded#at=22
An interesting point SilverArrow. However… This may well depend on how focussed any team's car design philosophy is, upon the use of exhaust when 'off-throttle'. It is reported that Red Bull have been able to use up to 100% (equivalent to full throttle) whilst on the over-run (full engine braking!) - If so, this could be quite a challenge for Newey in the short-term. And as DHCanary says, "Other teams may not have explored the technique thoroughly enough to find the most advantage within the limits"; meaning that they have less to lose than any team who has exploited it more fully.
Banning this will only reduce the gap in qualifying. Maybe the FIA are just banning it in the interest of competition? Mass dampers? Williams' active suspension?
Ostensibly, yes; of course this must be a big factor in the decision (along with a nod to the 'green' argument of using more fuel on a closed throttle). However, I think it worth noting that historically the FIA have made very few decisions which disadvantage Ferrari, particularly in the last two decades. This is why I said I was being cynical ! …
wow not606 certainly has more activity than muzz, my identical thread on muzz has had 1 reply by assol_dieu
Full details are still thin on the ground so they could be wrong but Autosport claimed it had been banned (or restricted) because it's illegal: "in breach of the famous Article 3.15 of the technical regulations that outlaws moveable aerodynamic devices." [How is it a moveable aerodynamic device?] This is one of those perceived truths. If this change does favour Ferrari more than anyone else then forums will forever ring to the tune of illegal moveable aerodynamic devices.
The only way I can see it as a moveable aero device is if something inside the car moves, channelling the air when off-throttle to the diffuser? But if its part of the engine air intake, I'd hardly call it an aero device!
It appears the FIA are going to spoil the show by banning the engine exhaust gasses flowing over the rear diffuser when the throttle is closed. Autosport reported, when asked if he thought the rules change had come about as the result of a complaint from a rival team to try and slow Red Bull Racing down, Horner said: "It is inevitable and the unfortunate consequence of success." Apparently only a 10% opening of the throttle will be allowed whilst the driver has taken his foot off the pedal preventing 100% air flow through the engine under deceleration as at present. This could clearly affect RB as they seem to be the best at exploiting this feature. Could it be that Ferrari have approached their old mate Toady.
No worries, just thought it was best to stick to one as quick as possible to stop the conversation becoming too disjointed. I've done the same thing before when theres something newsworthy.
Anyway its an interesting situation, I think RB have lost an advantage particularily during Qualy, not long now to find out.
People should be worried about the merc since brawn did say one of the main problems was the blown diffuser working. Now thats been solved maybe we got a fight on our hands maybe? But.... I'm sorry, if this has been changed now by the FIA, whatever stopped them banning DDD and f-duct previously in the same fashion. If anything the costs are going to shoot up now for 90% of the teams who will now have to try a different area to upgrade because it might make the car worse now. Just ****ing stupid and should of been sorted out ages ago or not at all. It's bloody FIA doing a WWE and trying to make it look closesr all season.
Ah yes, is it possible this throttle mapping feature may contribute to the peculiar sideways snaps of the Red Bull cars last year, I never really understood why the Red Bull drivers crashed out in such unusual circumstances. Could also explain Webbers excursion up the back of Kovvys Lotus.
This is outrageous, they can't go moving the goalposts mid-season, let alone three days before a race weekend. Red Bull were planning a new exhaust and floor this Friday and Mercedes were apparently going to introduce a forward blowing exhaust. Jean Todt is obviously doing a turn for his old team, the FIA are just as corrupt now as they've always been. No doubt Red Bull will lock out the front row on Saturday, only for the Toad to implement a ban on blue paint while Brundle's doing his grid walk. ****ing disgrace. I knew they should've given Vatanen the FIA presidency. In every way he was a better choice than Todt, but money talks.
I agree with AG that its bad form to move the goalposts mid-season, seemingly with little notice. Its going to be hard on a lot of the teams I imagine, not just Red Bull. It seems odd that they've just come out with this, I'm sure previously there has been a consultation period where the FIA have discussed with teams the legality of a device, before deciding on a ban or not. Doing that also gives teams a heads-up to plan different developments. I'm not impressed, and despite not really being a Red Bull fan, now want them to lock out the front row in qualifying and dominate the race (not that that helps my zdkF1 prediction at all...)
