Team Will Not Wait for FIA, Confirm Diffuser Copying

Championship's big guns have confirmed that they are looking into ways of redesigning their cars' rear fascias in order to catch up with the “Big Three” – Brawn GP, Williams F1 and Toyota – in terms of rear diffuser advantages. The double-decker design, although heavily contested, seems to have become a hit in terms of aerodynamic performances, as it provides an increased level of downforce.

While protesting the design at the FIA International Court of Appeal – due to discuss it during their meeting on April 14th – the teams have proceeded in copying the design themselves. It is believed that BMW, Ferrari, Renault, McLaren and Red Bull Racing will all try to use the revised diffusers before the European rounds of this year's schedule.

That doesn't mean they aren't already putting some impressive extra-hours of work on building the new design, as in most cases that's equivalent with changing the entire rear of the car. As reported by GMM news agency, an unknown source from within the Scuderia has confirmed the Ferrari F60 will have to undergo a complete reconstruction of its rear if implemented the new design.

BMW's Motorsport Director Mario Theissen made it very clear that no one can afford to wait for FIA to give their final verdict on the matter. Copying the system will, until that point, remain an alternative ready to be implemented if needed.

“We cannot afford to wait until somebody says it is allowed or not allowed,” said Theissen, while echoed by Mercedes rival Norbert Haug: “Naturally you have to prepare in case it becomes fully legal. Every team that wants to win must work on it (the diffuser)”.

Renault and Red Bull have reportedly already began investigating the new diffuser weeks ago. According to some media reports in Spain, the Enstone-based team will have the revised R29 up and running from as early as the Chinese Grand Prix in mid-April.