Simulations carried out by the teams suggest the ban on double diffusers, which is to be introduced in 2011, will slow the cars by around two seconds per lap.
In 2009, the F1 world was shocked by the introduction of larger diffusers running large holes to create more levels. Williams, Brawn GP and Toyota were the three teams which started the season with the aero devices – which suck the car to the ground.
The remaining teams asked the FIA to look into the matter, but the concept was declared legal which led to every other team hurriedly developing their own.
2011 will see the return of normal diffusers which in conjunction with the aerodynamic rules introduced in 2009, and the new fuelling regulations introduced this year, will hopefully see more overtaking as aerodynamical grip and downforce will be dramatically reduced.
“Basic simulation suggests in the region of two seconds, maybe more [will be lost]. So it’s an enormous contributor to performance,” said Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.
McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh is happy to see the ban on double diffusers and reckons 2011 will facilitate more overtaking.
“Tangentially, if you can reduce the wake of the car, if you can reduce the effect that the wake has on you and you can reduce the aerodynamic downforce then one can imagine that’s going to allow the cars to be closer in the first place and hopefully facilitate more overtaking.”
The current FOTA chairman admitted the ban should have come about sooner rather than later: “I think it’s a good thing. I think Formula One was a little bit slow, frankly, in prohibiting double diffusers.”
