19/03/2010
NEWS STORY
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The FIA is understood to have told three teams to make changes to the diffusers on their cars ahead of next weekend's Australian Grand Prix.
The changes have been ordered after three teams - Red Bull, McLaren and Renault - exploited a loophole in the rules relating to a hole in the diffuser aimed at accommodating the starter motor.
While the regulations allow for the hole they do not state a maximum size, a loophole that the three teams fully exploited as a bigger hole means more downforce.
According to reports the FIA has now acted to close the loophole with immediate effect by specifying exact dimensions for the hole, ordering the three teams to modify their cars before scrutineering in Melbourne next week.
The move comes a year after a row over the double diffusers on the Brawn, Williams and Toyota cars overshadowed the opening round of the 2009 season, held in Melbourne, when the devices were declared legal, leading to rival teams adopting similar designs in the races that followed.