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McLaren eyes qualfying gains

ESPNF1 Staff
June 16, 2011 « Ecclestone blasts Hamilton critics | »
The FIA's diffuser ban is due to come in to force at the British Grand Prix © Sutton Images
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McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh believes that Red Bull's qualifying advantage could be cut by half a second if the planned exhaust-blown diffuser ban is enforced.

The FIA has deemed that the current use of sophisticated throttle mapping to blow exhaust gases through the diffuser even when the driver is off-throttle is a moveable aerodynamic advice and therefore contravenes the regulations. As a result the governing body has announced that the systems will be banned from the British Grand Prix onwards, and Whitmarsh believes that Red Bull will be heavily affected.

"It's quite possible we will close up in qualifying by half a second (if there is a ban)," Whitmarsh is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport.

With Red Bull having by far the quickest car in qualifying but McLaren possessing stronger race pace over the last three grands prix, Canadian Grand Prix winner Jenson Button told Blick that the difference would be less noticeable in races due to the way Red Bull exploits the system.

"They (Red Bull) use the exhaust gases into the diffuser non-stop on a qualifying lap, but not in the race," Button said.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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