Diffuser discontent

(F1) stewards have rejected a protest against diffuser designs on the

,

and

cars ahead of the 2009 Australian Grand Prix.

The complaints were made by rivals Renault, Ferrari and Red Bull against the diffuser – an area of lower bodywork that organises the airflow as it leaves the vehicle. The protesting teams argued that the designs are not in the spirit of the regulation changes introduced to increase overtaking and competitiveness in the sport.

John Wood, chairman of Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) Formula Student, said: ‘Aggressive rear wings on a racing car can generate significant air turbulence behind it, which in turn makes it more difficult for a competitor to overtake. Changes to this year’s regulations have meant that the size of these wings must be reduced and as a result, less turbulence will be created so other cars have a better opportunity to overtake.

‘When rule changes occur, teams will seek to gain maximum benefit while staying within the rules. There is nothing new in the concept of the diffuser; they have been part of a race car's aerodynamics for many years and their purpose is to move the air from underneath the racing car to enhance underbody airflow.