Renault & McLaren to change diffusers
The FIA Court of Appeal this week rejected complaints from rival teams about the design used by Brawn Grand Prix, Toyota and Williams.
The decision will force the other teams to consider a drastic redesign.
Renault were amongst the teams who spoke strongly against the use of the split-level diffuser – an aerodynamic part at the rear of the car which increases performance – at an eight-hour hearing in Paris on Wednesday.
But the French team, who won constructors' titles in both 2005 and 2006, are now understood to have flown in a modified diffuser to the Shanghai International Circuit.
It is crucial to the aerodynamics, and small changes can have a big impact on downforce – and therefore grip and speed McLaren are also expected to introduce a limited update to their diffuser when first free practice begins in China at 1000 local time (0300 BST) on Friday.
The split-level design is believed to give an advantage of around 0.5 seconds per lap, though Renault and McLaren are not expected to make such a leap in performance immediately.
"I do not think it will be a huge gain in the beginning," conceded Renault driver Fernando Alonso.
"It's not only about putting a magic part on the car – the whole philosophy of the car needs changing and that will take time.
"We will be better than in the last race (in Malaysia) but we can still develop further." BBC Sport