Webber: We must adapt to new regulations

Mark Webber has admitted that Red Bull will ‘have to adapt’ to the rule changes being introduced at this weekend’s European Grand Prix, with the gains from exhaust-blown diffusers set to be significantly reduced. The concept was first introduced by the Milton Keynes-based squad in 2010, making use of hot flowing gases by channeling them over the rear of the car when drivers are ‘off-throttle’ to increase cornering speeds.

"I don't think they will make the car any faster, but I think it is the same for everybody," the Australian said on Thursday. "We have got to adapt again, get used to it, but it is nothing new for our team to adapt to a change in regulations. All the teams have to adapt and see what they can do to do the best out of it."

Despite the restrictions that have been put in place, Webber believes the current pecking order will remain relatively unchanged over the next few races.

"I don't think it is going to turn the field upside down," he added. "I think everyone will still be in reasonable shape. McLaren and Ferrari are fast, we know that. We are quick but, the changes, whether they will turn the championship around, I think it is unlikely."

A complete blown diffuser cut down has been confirmed for the British Grand Prix next month, with Renault Technical Director James Allison explaining earlier in the week: "When the driver lifts his foot fully off the throttle pedal, then the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) maps must be set up so that the engine closes the throttle."

"Previously, it was possible to configure the engine maps to leave the throttle open and reduce the engine power by other means."

Source: GPUPDATE

FIA to tell more teams to alter diffusers

It is expected that two more teams will be asked by the FIA to alter their double diffuser designs prior to scrutineering for next week's Australian Grand Prix.

During the season opener in Bahrain last weekend, we reported that McLaren had been told that the diffuser fitted to its MP4-25 may not reappear in Melbourne.

McLaren had reportedly aerodynamically exploited the hole for the external engine starter, making it much bigger than necessary and thereby gaining another diffuser level.

It was said the British team agreed to revise the design for Melbourne.

Spain's El Pais newspaper said Renault and Mercedes will also have to modify their diffusers for the same reason ahead of round two of the 2010 world championship.

Rumours also suggest that one or two other cars may also be the subject of FIA technical delegate Charlie Whiting's concerns.

It is believed these teams exploited the fact that while FIA rules allow a hole in the diffuser big enough for an external starter, the regulations do not set a maximum size for the starter probe itself.

Red Bull designer Adrian Newey admitted he suspected at least two teams of pushing the rules.

"I will not say names, only that Ferrari is not among them," the Briton is quoted as saying.

Source: Motorsport

Ecclestone: F1 rules can't be changed during season

F1 commercial rights-holder Bernie Ecclestone responds to calls for an immediate remedy to address the general boredom that characterised the 2010 curtain-raising Bahrain Grand Prix in Sakhir at the weekend - telling teams that having made their bed in agreeing to the new refuelling ban and associated regulations, now they must lie in it

F1 commercial rights-holder Bernie Ecclestone has dashed hopes that a swift rule change might help to re-inject an element of excitement and exhilaration into the racing in the top flight after the curtain-raising 2010 Bahrain Grand Prix at Sakhir was panned as 'boring' and an anti-climax to a winter of fevered anticipation – by revealing that the unpopular regulations being blamed for the monotony are set in stone.

The ban on refuelling has been pinpointed as the root cause of the almost complete lack of overtaking that blighted the race in the baking heat of the desert sun at the weekend, with the onus having now shifted from on-track aggression to tyre management and fuel conservation, depriving fans of any real thrill factor and turning the afternoon into a bland, lifeless procession.

That has led to calls for immediate amendments to be made to the rules – with the most popular proposal that of making two pit-stops compulsory per grand prix, thereby encouraging drivers to push harder and take more risks, in the knowledge that they will be able to dispense of their worn rubber rather sooner.

However, Formula One Management (FOM) chief executive Ecclestone is adamant that having made their bed in agreeing to the new regulations, the teams must henceforth lie in it – explaining that the re-introduction of refuelling is not an option due to the radically different designs of 2010 cars to accommodate the much larger fuel tanks, and arguing that in any case it is now too late to do anything about the current situation, one that he insists is not a 'crisis'.

“Some might wonder why the teams have options on tyres at all,” the British billionaire told the Daily Telegraph. “Maybe if we only gave them a soft compound they would have to stop twice, but I am not sure that they will vote unanimously for the mandatory two-stop race which Red Bull proposed.”

“We cannot change the rules,” the 79-year-old added, speaking to German publication Bild Zeitung. “It would take far too long and it's too difficult – F1 is now a democracy. All the teams voted for these rules, so now they must also deal with them.”

Source: Crash.net