Auto123.com - Helping you drive happy

F1: Renault's Pat Symonds backs divisive diffuser designs

|
Obtain the best financial rate for your car loan at Automobile En DirectTecnic
Khatir Soltani
From GMM

Renault Formula 1 Team's technical director Pat Symonds has contradicted his boss Flavio Briatore over the rear diffuser saga.

While Briatore recently accused three teams of fielding illegal solutions at the rear of their 2009 cars, technical boss Symonds patted his rivals on the back for clever engineering.

"Toyota and Williams have found a very good, very interesting solution with the diffuser which we hadn't done and I'm sure that everyone is looking at that at the moment," the Briton is quoted as saying recently by Australasian Motorsport News.

A giant row about the issue is brewing ahead of the Australian grand prix, with formal protests against the aforementioned teams, and also Brawn GP, possible.

On Monday, Ferrari made clearer its position against the disputed diffuser designs.

"We are convinced that certain interpretations that have been applied do not correspond to the nature of the regulations," team boss Stefano Domenicali told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"We expect the federation (FIA) to clarify its position as soon as possible. If it is illegal it should not be used, and if it is legal then other teams, including us, will try to adapt."
Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
  • Over 8 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada