With all teams worried about their cars' lack of downforce – leading to poor performances in qualifying and race – Renault's Flavio Briatore insisted this is not at all unusual, considering the multitude of changes ahead of 2009. What makes it unbearable is the three teams that are way ahead of the pack thanks to the different diffusers.
While blaming it all on the diffusers, Briatore added that he expects FIA to bring light into the matter from as early as April 14th, when the first meeting of the International Court of Appeal is scheduled.
“Like everybody else, excluding three teams, everybody is having a tough time. Malaysia was tough as well, especially with the weather, and our downforce is very poor. And this is very clear. But we do not give up, absolutely. We have the hearing (of the FIA's Court of Appeal) on April 14 and we need to see what happens as well,” said the Italian, according to autosport.com.
“In Malaysia it was very clear what the diffuser has done, and I think Button in qualifying was one second clear. It is very clear there is a lot of downforce and a lot of ground effect,” added the Renault boss.
According to several reports in the Spanish media, Renault have already begun work on a double-decker diffuser to replace the existing one for the remainder of the season. It seems the Enstone-based team will be ready to implement the new design right away, if the FIA will decided to rule the different design as legal next Tuesday.
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