F1: FIA to update rear diffuser rules before Australian GP

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The FIA will modify the technical regulation concerning the infamous rear diffuser in time for the Grand prix of Australia.

According to motorsport magazine Autosport, teams McLaren, Mercedes and at least two others will have to modify their diffuser designs so they stop using a loophole in the current regulations.

The British magazine learned that discussions took place between the FIA and representatives from four teams over the Bahrain Grand Prix about the size of starter motor holes in their diffusers.

The size of their starter motor holes was believed to be excessively wide, which, although not in breach of the regulations, was reckoned to be going against the spirit of the rules.

The FIA rules and regulations do not specify what the 'minimum' size is though, but some teams have been using exotically shaped starter motors to allow themselves to feature wide-shaped holes in the diffusers.

Such a hole in the diffuser helps create another tunnel for air to flow through, which produces more suction, therefore more downforce.