The only reason he says this now is because he knows his team isn't the best with aerodynamics anymore and he knows that's what you need to win, especially in the current way F1 is. He's pissed off because he knows his team took far to big of a gamble with the front suspension and other stuff, and it very much looks like it won't pay of. This is the 4th season in a row when it's not looking too good. Perhaps 2010 was a relatively ok year. I wouldn't mind seeing standardized diffusers to be honest.
Yes I see the points you make. I also think there is some room in the formula to have some relevant applicability to road cars. Ferrari is a producer as are some others and there is nothing wrong with that. I think your main point is the real issue for him. They simply got it a touch wrong and are playing catch up again.
'Win or die' and then pouting over it isn't the answer Luca. However, there is a good point made there. "It comes down to what 're-ingested exhaust gas' is really and that's a question for Charlie," said Ferrari technical director Pat Fry, referring to the FIA directive issued by Charlie Whiting to help designers know what they could and couldn't do. Whiting stated that any exhaust designs that re-ingested or redirected exhaust flow for principally aerodynamic reasons would not be permitted. The latest Red Bull exhaust outlet looks like it pushes that restriction to the very limit. If they get it past scrutineering in Melbourne, then all the teams will apply that approach. Ferrari already had a version of the concept but couldn't get it to work as they'd like. "I think it's the obvious direction to go in," said Fry. "We gave it a shot; we didn't quite get it right. The issues we had, we weren't going to solve for at least the first four races, so that's why we had to back up and change course. It will be interesting to see if Red Bull have got a Plan B, just in case the design gets the thumbs down in Australia. Teams can overnight parts to Barcelona for testing; getting stuff from Milton Keynes to Melbourne is a far lengthier task if the scrutineers say it's not within the rules. point being: Too much emphasis is put on the benefits Red Bull and Mclaren's systems which are very minimal at best and will probably eat rear tires. Whiting may put a stop to it at Melbourne regardless though. Mercedes' concept is the best of the field and is definitely not dancing on the rules so for their benefit I hope Whiting bans this nonsense with 3.15. I highly doubt other teams will come out in force changing their cars to copy RB though. They are dancing a fine line and Charlie will have his way.
the man is just venting his frustration over the fact that his team just can't get, or have, the aero knowledge to get it right. Takes just a bit more inspiration and serendipity than even most talented degreed engineers have. And obviously Team Red just doesn't have it yet. It's always an easier path to reverse engineer someone elses work, but will always put you one or more steps behind every time. An innovated design never equals inspired design. JD
