F1 technical chiefs agree to double-diffuser ban

Double-diffusers - an innovation that threatened to turn the first half of the 2009 F1 World Championship campaign into a political battleground - are to be outlawed from 2011, the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) has agreed

25 Jan 2010

The Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) has come to a resolution to officially ban the controversial double-diffusers from the sport from 2011 onwards, it has been confirmed.

An early-season row broke out in 2009, after three teams - Brawn GP, Toyota and Williams F1 - exploited a loophole in the regulations to fit double-diffusers to their cars, which helped to generate more aerodynamic downforce and therefore greater grip levels.

Brawn thoroughly dominated the opening half of the campaign, whilst Toyota and Williams similarly enjoyed their days in the sun. Indeed, by the time the regulations had been clarified and the double-diffusers ruled legal by governing body the FIA, it was too late for any of Brawn's rivals to genuinely catch up, and whilst Red Bull Racing in particular gave valiant chase, the damage had already clearly been done.

All cars are consequently expected to feature double-diffusers from the outset this year, but following a reunion of FOTA's Technical Working Group, it has been unanimously agreed to outlaw the contentious concept from 2011, subject to the approval of the F1 Commission and FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC). It is hoped that the ban will help to make overtaking in the top flight easier.