Teams steering towards double diffuser ban for 2011

Formula One teams have recently agreed on banning the double deck diffusers as of 2011. While it is now too late to make the change for 2010, it is believed that this is the best way to implement a further decrease on the downforce levels of current F1 cars.

Double diffusers have only been used this year after BrawnGP, Williams and Toyota debuted the devices during winter testing. Despite other teams deeming it illegal, the FIA found the exploit of the regulation loophole valid, forcing the remaining 8 teams to urgently develop a similar device themselves.

The DDD design benefits from feeder holes in the car's floor to generate more downforce. More air is pulled inwards onto the diffuser and hence the car is sucked harder to the floor. A ban of the device is expected to reduce laptimes by approximately 1 second.

Autosport have also learned that there is now an attempt ongoing to formulate the regulation change so that no team will be able to exploit a loophole in this area. When an agreement is reached, the regulation will be sent to the technical regulations working group (TRWG) to evaluate and forward to the FIA for approval.

Talking to the autosport magazine, Lotus' technical chief Mike Gascoyne confirmed the move but claimed that it was unlikely to improve overtaking on its own.