Gary Andersons thoughts
The big mystery of this season has been how the Ferrari can be a second off the pace in qualifying and only a tenth of a second or two off it in the race. I think I've figured out what the problem is.
It is a rear wing and diffuser problem, but it's a little complicated to explain, so bear with me.
In qualifying, the DRS overtaking aid can be used all the time. A driver comes off a corner and opens the DRS as soon as possible, reducing the drag and the wing wake, which gives extra straight-line speed.
As the car goes faster, the rear gets closer to the ground and that 'stalls' the diffuser, which is the underfloor which curves upwards at the back of the car. 'Stalling' means the airflow is not attached to it any more, and that reduces the downforce it produces.
When the driver brakes for the next corner, the car changes attitude - the rear comes up.
I am 99.99% sure that at that time, on the Ferrari, the diffuser does not re-attach immediately.
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