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Formula teams reach agreement over blown diffuser row

Formula 1's row over the off-throttle use of blown diffusers is now at an end, after Ferrari and Sauber agreed to join other teams in backing plans to ditch the ban on the concept

Although at a Sunday morning meeting the two outfits were alone in failing to support the offer from the FIA to revert engine mapping settings to how they were in Valencia, the two have now indicated that they will support the move.

Once the official agreement from all 12 teams is in place, it is understood that it will be a formality for the FIA to approve teams using off-throttle blown diffusers from the German Grand Prix - although the ban on outfits changing engine mapping settings between qualifying and the race will stand.

When asked about comments from Bernie Ecclestone that all teams had now agreed, Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali said: "That is my understanding too...

"I think that this thing was not really good for everyone. We need to draw a line and now look ahead, because otherwise where we are going? Even if I think I don't agree with the process, for the benefit of the sport we should have action."

Domenicali did use the opportunity, however, to take a swipe at the way other teams had tried to use the blown diffuser controversy to their advantage.

"To be honest, when you think of the bigger picture you think of a wider opening. I have to say that I don't think all the people are behaving like we are."

Sauber boss Peter Sauber refused to confirm whether his team had signed the agreement to revert back to the Valencia regulations, but said Ecclestone was not incorrect in stating all teams had agreed.

"When Bernie tells that, normally it is true what he says," he said. "The whole thing is a shame. The whole thing....it started after the race in Montreal and finished I don't know when. I don't want to speak about it.

"The FIA after Montreal said that this system is illegal and we will change it. And then we have a lot of discussion about the engine and all this rubbish. Everybody looked for himself. That is normal."

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