Helmut Marko: Red Bull to lose 0.5 seconds per lap after Blown Diffuser clampdown – Formula 1 news
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has claimed that his team will lose 0.5 seconds per lap after the Blown Diffuser is banned from the Silverstone Grand Prix of the 2011 Formula 1 season.
Marko added that the team will try to improve on their set-up and aerodynamic department to cover up the loss from the Diffuser.
Moreover, Marko criticised the decision of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) to ban the Diffuser halfway through the 2011 season whereas previous aerodynamic tweaks like Double Diffuser and F-Duct were banned after the seasons concluded.
Although both Red Bull drivers Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber along with team principal Christian Horner are denying any effect of the Blown Diffuser clampdown on the team, Marko thinks that in reality Red Bull will lose quite a lot of time.
He said, “We expect to lose approximately 0.5 seconds per lap without the blown diffuser. However, we made preparations to equalise this in terms of set-up and aero measures. We are optimistic that we will keep our performance level.”
FIA’s Charlie Whiting stated a week ago that the clampdown of the Diffuser does not have anything to do with the Red Bull team. Still Marko believes that the move of the sport’s governing body is questionable.
“We would have understood if this was implemented at the end of the season like many other technical developments recently. But to do this halfway through the season is a bit strange and not quite understandable,” added Marko.
The Milton Keynes-based team brought the Blown Diffuser technology in the 2011 season and took maximum advantage out of the device. Red Bull have secured all the eight podium position through that device which gives them an extra edge in the qualifiers.
Nevertheless, Red Bull have a substantial lead in the 2011 season and it is still a long way to go before the Diffuser really starts to hurt the Red Bull team.
Let’s see how much of a difference it actually makes when the Silverstone Grand Prix weekend begins from July 8, 2011.
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