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Alonso: Diffuser cars will stay ahead

Fernando Alonso believes it will take a significant amount of time before rival teams can catch those using the double-decker diffusers, following the FIA's decision to deem the design legal

Brawn GP, Toyota and Williams have used the double diffusers in the first two races of the season, and the three teams have shown very competitive form there, with Brawn dominating the events.

Wednesday's decision meant the trio will continue to use the diffuser, as rivals work hard to copy the design in order to catch up.

Renault driver Alonso reckons it will not be just a matter of putting the new diffuser in the car to improve performance, as lots of other parts need to be re-worked too.

That is why the Spaniard believes the three teams will still enjoy our advantage for some time.

"I don't really care too much because unfortunately it is not our decision, it's FIA decision or the Appeal Court's," Alonso told reporters in Shanghai.

"From a driver's point of view, we do not understand, we are not technical people so we are not very sure about what the rules say, but it is true that there are some cars that are much quicker than us, Brawn, Toyota and Williams.

"And it will take time to recover and close that gap and be as quick as them, because I don't think it is a diffuser thing or a magic part in the car that you put on and you go straight away quick. You need to re-design the car a little bit, starting from the front wing.

"The air has to go to the rear-end of the car in a different way. So there is still some months I think to work, to spend money, to develop the car to be as quick as them. It is not only the diffuser, it is just a different philosophy of designing the car."

Alonso admitted he is expecting Brawn GP to continue to dominate in the upcoming races, although the double champion is hopeful the championship battle is not yet over.

"Personally I hope not because the championship will hopefully be still interesting until the last moment, but it is true that in the next coming races Brawn can score many points and maybe then it is too late for us to recover," he added.

"But this is the way it is at the moment, and we are a strong team, a very powerful team and I think we can do a good job and improve the car quickly because we have the potential.

"It is true that the Brawn is quick now, but the teams that now will redesign their cars, will be the best teams in Formula 1 - Ferrari, Renault, McLaren, BMW - so I think we can do a good job. We are a strong team."

The Renault driver said his team will already introduce new parts designed at the last minute at this weekend's race in China.

"I know that some parts are arriving late as well at the last moment. I think we will introduce small details as we did in Australia and Malaysia to the aerodynamics.

"Mechanically as well I know there is some improvements to the rear suspension as well to improve our rear grip - which was our main problem in the first two grands prix.

"We will introduce new parts in every race and hopefully we can close the gap because now we are suffering to be in Q3 and this is not ideal. We need to be closer to the front-runners."

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