After the Bahrain race, McLaren's team principal and FOTA chairman Martin Whitmarsh insisted that he knows nothing about this story, as Whiting did not tell him anything about a potential illegality of the MP4-25's rear part. He admitted, however, that certain concerns within the F1 paddock were raised in recent days.
“I think Charlie came down and looked at all the cars in that area, but I am not aware that anyone had any action taken against them over it. There were some concerns expressed,” said Whitmarsh, according to Autosport.
“There is a discussion between all the teams about what we are going to do. There are holes in the diffuser for the starter, the hole in ours is no bigger than the one on the championship winning car last year. And also no bigger than it is on about four other cars.”
The International Automobile Federation (FIA) is also to issue an official statement on the matter. However, a careful look at the 2010 cars' double diffusers show that many of them feature some interesting designs, aimed at further improving the level of downforce of the challengers.
“A single break in the surface is permitted solely to allow the minimum required access for the device referred to in Article 5.15. (supposed to refer to starter motor, although this is Article 5.16),” says the FIA rulebook concerning the rear diffuser.
The governing body is set to bring some further clarifications on the rear diffuser design this season in the upcoming few days.
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