I’m sure they’re wouldn’t be a protest unless other teams thought the diffusers gave an advantage, but that article doesn’t say why they’re alleged to be illegal. I’ve never heard of any racing spec that restricted lap time or downforce. It’s usually some measureable dimension, like the driver’s feet being behind the center point of the front wheels, something like that. So what is it about these diffusers that they say violates the rules?
Well, I’ll be…you can design uglier cars than the current IndyCar crop. Sad. 
In brief, the regs changed this year to keep the diffuser below a minimum height, and restricted its length (the idea being at least in part to cut down the turbulence suffered by following cars). The protested designs take advantage of a rule permitting extra bodywork in the rear central section (ostensibly to allow crash structures to be built), shaping their crash structures such that they effectively extend the diffuser past its intended legal limits.
F1.com has a diagram of how the rule was intended, as well as pictures of Toyota’s version (which was protested) and McLaren’s (which was not). I’d have to agree that it’s outside the spirit of the law, but I also think that expecting teams in this business to implement the spirit, not the letter, is a bit naive. If your letter diverges from the spirit, you need a better letter. 
Inveterate F1 cynics are also suggesting that the extremely slow turnaround on this ruling was designed to foment unrest between the teams at a time when relations between the teams and the organising bodies are at a particularly low ebb. It’s a bit of a cranky view, but I really wouldn’t put it past them.
Exactly the sort of answer I was looking for. Thanks, DB.
When was the last time there were no North American races at all? [Including Mexico in this]
Lots to cover and we’ve only seen FP1&2.
First off, thanks to Dead Badger for those links. Actually seeing the graphics goes a long way towards understanding the diffuser controversy. I also agree with him in that FIA appears to have deliberately left some loopholes in their regs, which, depending on actual race results might make for some heated arguments after the fact. Shame really.
Other observations:
1-Can’t remember the last time we had such a closed grid even in FPs. There’s a mere 2 seconds front to back.
2-However, it also appears that the diffuser 3 have the edge over the rest of the pack. That doesn’t square well w/me.
3-Having said that, we really won’t know much even after Q3. Why? Because both Ferraris and Alonso’s Renault, are just behind the diffuser 3 and if they manage to qualify mid-pack, in theory, they’ll have a big advantage at the start due to a fully charged KERs system. Lots of torque available for launch, similar to the Renault in 04 and 05 – which the diffuser 3 don’t have.
4-OTOH, the short straightaway leading up to turns 1 and 3 might also make things quite hairy in that first lap with everyone battling for position. A pile-up or two wouldn’t surprise me. Which leads to my next point.
5-KERS. Either everyone uses them or FIA rules that all teams need to ballast their cars (the 40 kg or so that the system weights) in the same position – mid-car, not floorboards as now – as those using KERS. If not, the torque advantage is nullified over the long haul by the better handling of those without. Specifically the diffuser 3, all six cars without KERS. Pretty big flaw IMHO.
All that said and nothing is the same though. We really won’t know much until the red lights go out.
Get your local times here:
AUSTRALIA | Melbourne 27,28,29 March 2009 – right column, click ‘convert to local time.’
SAT qualifying EST: 2:00 A.M.
SUNDAY Race EST: 2:00 A.M.
Lewis Hamilton’s recent comments about not expecting to be anywhere near the front have got a fair amount of media coverage in the last couple of days - to the point where I’m wondering, despite the above comments, whether this is in fact a well-orchestrated disinformation campaign about the Maclaren’s true speed. I think I will try to watch the race on Sunday - it would be great to see Lewis right up there again.
That said, all the other indications do seem to point the other way - in which case, I admire his honesty. I guess we’ll probably know by (or before) the end of qualifying.
So if McLaren aren’t sandbagging, how long before their cars are sporting the Diffuser of Doom? 
Well done to Brawn, but clearly they are running in a different competition to most of the rest of the field. Honda must be slapping their foreheads and issuing forth with a collective, “Doh” right now.
Just personal taste, I know, but I don’t like the look of the new cars. They just look wrong. YMMV.
Let’s see tomorrow whether all the changes really will make for closer racing.
While it’s nice to see Button on pole, it all leaves a nasty after-taste.
I’m definitely looking forward to tomorrows race though.
An interesting first qualifying (although all I’ve seen are the BBC website highlights; I couldn’t stay awake to watch it live.)
It’ll be interesting to see what happens in the race though; and since this week I lose an hour less sleep to stay up and watch it (the UK puts the clocks forward at 1am) I might try.
Brawns (with Virgin onboard now) as expected, dominant.
However, sad to say, the whole thing is turning into a mess. For it appears we won’t know for sure what is legal or not till April 14th when FIA’s Court Of Appeals rules on the official complaints already lodged by Ferrari, Renault and Red Bull. Consequently, results will be dodgy at best till then. But it doesn’t even end there for it turns out that now the stewards have now ruled the upper rear wing in the Toyota as illegal – meanwhile Williams had also filed a protest about the winglets of the sidepods of the Ferrari and Red Bull…which they’ve now apparently withdrawn.
Talk about a soap! What a mess. FTR Lewis was penalized for a gearbox change and now starts 18th…with the Toyotas bringing up the rear. :rolleyes:
Further details here:
Appeal officially lodged over diffuser row
Toyota wings disallowed, Williams withdraws protest
Can’t imagine what it says about me that’ll be pulling yet another all-nighter for what is probably a farce.
:mad:
McLaren, also as expected are in real trouble. However the talk is that they didn’t go along with the other three in filing a protest as they’ll have their own ‘trick’ diffuser ready to go by China. Which of course won’t matter is same is judged illegal by FIA’s CoA.
If so, seems to me, they’ll can this season and start working on R&D for the next one…if there is one indeed.
One further observation. KERS did nothing for the cars that used it for qualifying – Alonso, in the Renault, was particularly disappointing considering he set the fastest time of all at Jerez on the last day of winter testing; though he did make an off track excursion on his last hot lap. And in the only head to head comparison we can make, Kubica’s Sauber (non-KERs) easily beat his KERs equipped teammate, Heidfeld. However we still don’t know what it’ll do under long race stints. Guess that’s the reason I’ll be staying up tonight. Or so I try telling myself.
Hamilton’s probably better off starting at the back - less chance of being caught in a first-corner pileup. And it will make good TV to see him carve his way up the field.
I have a feeling they’ll have an easier time finding sponsorship now. I’d love to see them go old-school for at least one race, though; British Racing Green with a yellow stripe down the center.
The commentators here mentioned a warning light to tell corner workers not to touch the car when the KERS is charged. They didn’t say what anyone is supposed to do about it, though.
I’m still having a tough time getting caught up on all that I’ve missed since last following the action. I;m going to predict Rubens Barrichello for the win tonight just because I like him, well, that and he’s racing for Brawn. I’m in a catch-22, if I’m still awake when the race starts I’ll probably be too drunk the way I’m going so far but I love seeing the races live when I can.
It was a good race. I won’t post the result now because I’m sure there are those who are recording it.
I squealed. When…“it” happened.
Not that anything necessarily happened. Or anything
I enjoyed the race. Great to have the circus back. Now for the inevitable.