The Diffuser Controversy - continued

This latest suggestion from Sam Michal, technical director at Williams, suggests that increasing diffuser downforce aids the following car's ability to overtake. Thi contradicts Briatore's suggestion that the opposite is true. Confusing...

"It is clear in the regulations what you can do," he said. "That is what the FIA thinks, that is what the stewards think. The OWG [Overtaking Working Group] finding was that producing more diffuser downforce resulted in an increase in downwash for the following car and improved overtaking capability."

"So from that point of view, our diffuser is helping overtaking and the others are not. That study was done by Renault, Ferrari, McLaren and BMW Sauber. So by their own studies they said we should increase diffuser downforce, and that is what we have done."

The Diffuser Controversy

Formula 1 has never been shy of controversies. It's part and parcel of this global, glamorous and expensive sport. With so much time and money invested, and with the ever-watchful eye of the media, the participants are ultra competitive, and ruthless in their desire to win.

The latest diffuser controversy is not a surprise. Ever since the 2009-spec cars hit the testing trail in early January, and the teams began looking at what others had done with their cars, concerns over certain designs began to emerge. Ferrari's exhaust design was one of them. Williams and Toyota's diffuser also got more than a fair share of attention. Ferrari were quick to react and updated their exhaust design, while Williams and Toyota remained adamant with their diffuser. The latter was because they were getting performance benefit out of it; Ferrari were getting very little and not big enough to pick a fight.

Things kicked into second gear when Brawn GP stole the show. The times were mesmerising. To borrow Massa's phrase, "they rose from the ashes" to lead the field. Amazing. How was this possible?

At the Aussie GP, Ferrari, Red Bull, BMW and Renault protested. Their protest was turned down and the diffusers ruled to be legal. As Renault team principal, Flavio Briatore explains, the diffuser design of Brawn, Williams and Toyota do not follow the "spirit" of the regulation, which is to reduce downforce. They are within the written regulations but intend to increase downforce that contradicts the spirit of Mosley's proposal. But in this ultra-competitive expensive sport where 0.1 seconds is too long, if teams other than Ferrari and McLaren innovate to win then why is it wrong?

The teams are going to appeal the race stewards' decision. If the appeal fails then, as Briatore admits, the others will be able to adopt the solution for the Barcelona GP. With 12 races remaining from that point on, the points deficit will be small enough for the others to catch up. It will make for exciting racing.

From an ordinary viewer's point of view: well I don't know what a diffuser is. The folks at f1technical.net have a few lines to explain it. All I know is that it's this thing at the back of the car that increases downforce and makes the car go faster. If Brawn, Williams and Toyota take the first corner at the Aussie race then it's not entirely a disaster. The rules were changed to shake up the grid, and they have done exactly that - the controversy is just the spice that Formula 1 never misses.

The New Points System Withdrawn

The FIA has withdrawn the "winner takes all" points system. There was plenty of opposition to this sytem, from namely Formula One Teams Association (FOTA), seven-time champion Michael Schumacher, the ruling world champion Lewis Hamilton and other drivers.

I believe this is the correct decision. As I commented in my previous post, this is a year full of changes. As an ordinary viewer of races, the F1 circus should allow us the opportunity to fully digest the visibly different cars, the new rules (tyres, KERS, aerodynamics), and the move to BBC.

I see the logic in Bernie's comments. He wants the racing to go on until the last corners of every race, and there is some reward for us ordinary folks. However, for some of us, the strategy behind the approach to races, the juggling of variables that the teams go through, is also equally important. What is McLaren's approach in the last race of the 2008 season. So Mr. Ecclestone, please allow us some to digest this new Formula 1, and not always focus on having highest TV audiences.

A side comment before I close: this whole saga with the new points system has shone some light on the decision making process at the FIA. It seems that nobody at the FIA "thinks things through". Formula One Management aka Bernie Ecclestone and the FOTA aka the teams, do what serves their interest the most. My impression of the FIA has gone down a couple of notches. Perhaps, I shouldn't be so naive.

The New Points System

The FIA has changed the way the drivers championship will be decided. Until this change, the driver that accumulated the most points won the drivers championship. Now the driver that wins the most grand prix will win the championship; should two or more drivers have the same number of wins, the points system will try to break the tie.

What do we make of this change?

First, the timing of this change is sceptical. We are 9 days away from the first race, so the sudden urge with which the FIA ratified change is perplexing. All the teams and TV networks will have to rush to get this new system implemented in software, re-run simulations and generally reset their mindsets. Furthermore, the TV networks will have to add one more piece to the raft of changes that have been introduced.

Second, there's no reasonable explanation given to why this change was made and why it was made so late. McLaren's Martin Whitmarsh commented that this decision was taken after a survey of audience views; nobody asked me of what I thought and I have been watching F1 for the past 10 years. There's more than a hint of some McLaren politicking here.

Thirdly, it will benefit the teams who improve the cars over the season. Ferrari and McLaren are the potential beneficiaries. If Brawn GP have a perfect start and accumulate a few wins, then they will be quickly nullified by mid-season when McLaren solves its problems or Ferrari find some more performance. Consistency of finishing on the podium or reliability will not be as rewarded as with the points system.

Finally, I agree with the sentiments expressd by Alonso and Button. Since the Constructors Championship is graded using the 'old' points system, the disparity between the two championships will undoubtedy cause confusion. Football leagues in Europe follow the points system and the lack of alignment with them will also fuel criticism.

The raft of new technical regulations along with very different looking cars was clearly not enough. It seems like a completely new Formula.

Brawn GP

Barrichello's time today of 1m19.236s at Jerez, the final test session before the season opener, is testament to the raw pace of their car. More convincing was the 107 laps he clocked up without any reported reliability concerns (the Mercedes engine seems reliable).

This is the thing about Formula 1 that impresses me the most. The legendary Murray Walker, during his glory days, used to comment "F1 is IF spelt backwards", and how this simple observation manifests itself in different parts of Formula 1. It can be on the track when Lewis Hamilton had this mysterious technical problem at Interlagos 2007, or the dark days Ferrari experienced back in 2005. One way or another, it throws twists that makes it so exciting.

"Honda Pulls Out of Formula One" was plastered all over the news last Autumn. They must be really kicking themselves now. It must have been a board decision back in Japan, people who are very far away from the factory in Brackley. I remember Ross Brawn publicly admitting that he was diverting all resources to the 2009 project and this decision is cleverly bearing fruit now. Brawn, a technical genius himself, should have known that they have a killer machine developing in the factory, and decided to take on the risk and bring it to the track.

So this sport continues to mystify us. And this team truly deserves to be on track and leading it right from Melbourne.

Season 2009

It is upon us - the season of 2009. About time too. The dark and quite of the winter is gone, replaced by the shine of spring and the roar of F1 back on the BBC.

I am quite looking forward to the BBC coverage, actually. Initial impressions are positive. The Web 2.0 website has reasonable content, including videos, opinions and the quality of stories is just behind autosport.com/f1. The team are quite revved up about this assignment, but really, who wouldn't be, especially in these depressing recessionary times. There's quite a lot of interactive functionality BBC are planning and also the prospect of receiving HD F1 feed on Freeview is quite exciting. The selling point for me will be the lack of advertisements - finally my licence fee is serving me well.

In terms of performance, testing times indicate that Ferrari are leading the field. However they do seem to be breaking down in every test. McLaren, by contrast, are lost. Dennis has been defending the test times in the press, but it's quite clear that they have some fundamental problems with the car. When Lewis Hamilton spins in tests on a dry track then you know that he he is pushing hard and that something is wrong. I am quite excited for Brawn GP. What a winter they have had, and to come up with a reliable AND fast car in the first proper test is just commendable. The board at Honda must be kicking themselves right now.

In terms of drivers, Kimi seems quite happy with the car so watch out for him. Massa has built more Schumacherness in his image and seems very solid. If McLaren don't fix their car then Lewis might as well give up. My gut feeling is that 1F Brawn GP maintain their performance advantage and reliability, then Button is in with a very strong chance.

 "The car is beautiful", Barrichello said at the unveiling of the F2002. "And we all know that beautiful cars are fast cars". I have read quotes that the cars are ugly but once the novelty wears off, you do get used to them. Slick tyres should also help keep up the speeds. With following distances reduced to 1second and the introduction of KERS should provide some exciting racing.

With Brawn GP's fantastic testing form, Ferrari's steady improvements and McLaren's apparent screw up, we are set for a great season. Look forward to it.