Off-throttle diffuser ban scrapped

Although at a Sunday morning meeting the two outfits were alone in failing to support the offer from the FIA to revert engine mapping settings to how they were in Valencia, the two have now indicated that they will support the move.

Once the official agreement from all 12 teams is in place, it is understood that it will be a formality for the FIA to approve teams using off-throttle blown diffusers from the German Grand Prix - although the ban on outfits changing engine mapping settings between qualifying and the race will stand.

When asked about comments from Bernie Ecclestone that all teams had now agreed, Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali said: "That is my understanding too...

"I think that this thing was not really good for everyone. We need to draw a line and now look ahead, because otherwise where we are going? Even if I think I don't agree with the process, for the benefit of the sport we should have action."

Domenicali did use the opportunity, however, to take a swipe at the way other teams had tried to use the blown diffuser controversy to their advantage.

"To be honest, when you think of the bigger picture you think of a wider opening. I have to say that I don't think all the people are behaving like we are."

Sauber boss Peter Sauber refused to confirm whether his team had signed the agreement to revert back to the Valencia regulations, but said Ecclestone was not incorrect in stating all teams had agreed.

"When Bernie tells that, normally it is true what he says," he said. "The whole thing is a shame. The whole thing….it started after the race in Montreal and finished I don't know when. I don't want to speak about it.

"The FIA after Montreal said that this system is illegal and we will change it. And then we have a lot of discussion about the engine and all this rubbish. Everybody looked for himself. That is normal."

SOURCE: Autosport

TRULLI CLAIMS ROW "RIDICULOUS"

Jarno Trulli has branded the controversy over off-throttle diffuser blowing at Silverstone as 'ridiculous.'

In his column for La Republica, Trulli said that the situation, which resulted in the FIA performing a U-turn over a severe restriction governing the use of the process for the rest of the year, had become too complicated for the teams to understand, let alone fans of Formula 1.

"As a driver, I can't tell what's right or wrong, but the situation has become quite ridiculous," the Lotus driver wrote.

"The issues seem more political than technical and are undoubtedly difficult to explain to the public and too complex even for us to understand.

"At one point our engine guys couldn't understand what was allowed and what wasn't.

Trulli said that it was time for the arguing among team bosses - the like of which was seen between Red Bull and McLaren team principals Christian Horner and Martin Whitmarsh during last Friday's FIA press conference at Silverstone - to stop.

"As the season progresses, it's not right to change everything and modify rules we've lived with for years. It's unthinkable, it creates huge confusion and team bosses need to reach an agreement, pick a common line, and not change anything until the end of the season.

"They need to quit saying they're unhappy and must suggest something definitive. Bouncing responsibilities backwards and forwards has never worked and the constant revolution does nothing but create confusion.

"Let's stop ruining everything at a time when F1 shows spectacle and overtaking. Let's stop bickering."

SOURCE: Autosport