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McLaren Bring New Changes to Double Diffuser for Bahrain

McLaren have debuted some new changes for their double diffuser for this weekend's race at Sakhir, with the first results shown after the first practice session on Friday. MP4-24's revised diffuser boosted Lewis Hamilton all the way to the top of the time charts this morning, as it is believed to provide an improved level of downforce as compared to the China Grand Prix.

McLaren were one of the first teams to respond to FIA's ruling of the controversial double diffusers last weekend, as they debuted an interim version of the aforementioned feature during the Shanghai practice sessions. The Woking designers have therefore continued the development of the diffuser, with the Sakhir version being considered the last step before the totally-improved unit (expected to debut at the Spanish Grand Prix).

“We have an adaptation of our conventional diffuser. It brings a bit more downforce but is not a giant step. It is a difficult area. If we had begun with it a year ago, the whole car would have been conceived on that basis,” said McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh in an interview for German magazine Auto Motor und Sport.

Renault are also believed to debut some new aerodynamic features for the Bahrain weekend, while Ferrari are expected to introduce a completely new rear diffuser during the next F1 event, at Barcelona (once the entire aerodynamic package for the Ferrari F60 is changed).

Force India are the 3rd team to announce the debut of a new double diffuser following FIA's verdict earlier this month, as Vijay Mallya confirmed the new feature will be present on the VJM02 from as early as this weekend.

Red Bull Racing have announced they will debut their new diffuser at Monaco (which could mean the same thing for Scuderia Toro Rosso also), while BMW Sauber are yet to make an announcement on the matter.
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