Has anyone read how much these re-designs will cost teams? I don't have the exact numbers but I do remember reading somewhere that Ferrari had estimated the cost to be around $20 million (not correct but ballpark). So much for cost reduction...
Yes I read that too. But you can't really blame the FIA for this one if some teams don't have the foresight to come up with an innovative solution. Remember: These double diffusers were ALWAYS legal. Today' verdict was about "the spirit of the rules". Big difference. Ferrari, McLaren, Renault etc could have come up with the same solution. Besides: Cost savings went out the window with KERS.
It wouldn't have cost them anything extra if they'd designed it properly first time round. And, of course, they've saved a whole lot by leaving all the initial work to someone else and copying it!
Brawn got to Honda too late to save the 2008 pos so he started work early on the '09 car with lots of honda $$ behind him. Honda pulled out (how stupid do they look now?) and ross got the MB motor which was similar in size to the honda unit. For all the **** ferrari gets for being uncompetitive this year don't forget that they were fighting for WCs last year with mclaren and developed their '08 car til the end and it shows with both ferrari and mclaren mediocre at best this year. They will come around eventually.
I just got back from italy and am being nice as I still am in a good mood. I think test drivers are nice in putting miles on engines and trannys (and this KERS bs) but in ultimate setup "feel" and chassis tuning the race drivers are the "go to" guys. As mario andretti said a sensitive arse always helps in chassis tuning.
Don't forget the 1978 Lotus which not only ushered in the ground effects era but was also a gorgeous car.
