Diffuser ban still causing division in F1
Monday 11th July 2011
The Formula One teams will leave Silverstone still in search of a resolution to the technical row that escalated this weekend.
The FIA's ban on off-throttle blown diffusers that came into effect from the British Grand Prix has sparked a furore among the 12 teams and led to a spat between McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh and his Red Bull counterpart Christian Horner on Friday.
Horner and Red Bull technical guru Adrian Newey then argued their case for an hour with FIA technical delegate Charlie Whiting on Saturday as final practice unfolded.
Whiting, who had changed his mind with regard to the intricacies of the new regulation, ultimately stuck to his guns by reverting back to the initial new ruling.
However, Whiting stated if all teams were in agreement, then for the remainder of the campaign from the German Grand Prix onwards the ban would be lifted.
That prompted a second extraordinary meeting of the weekend of F1's Technical Working Group, and although progress was made, there is still no unanimity.
"Most of the teams agree on a way forward, so we will carry on and see if we can resolve it," Whitmarsh said after the meeting.
"It's better for the sport to find a consensus, and although I don't think the teams necessarily got themselves into this position, we have to try and get ourselves out of it."
It is now a question of whether all the teams can reach agreement before the back-to-back races in Germany and Hungary later this month, with the former a fortnight away.
"I hope we can, we have to because otherwise we will be backwards and forwards there (in Hockenheim) as well," added Whitmarsh.
"I hope the teams that are not sure at the moment are close, and hopefully we can find a sensible agreement."
Credit: ESPN STAR (www.espnstar.com)
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