2012 · TECHNICAL
2012 Technical Regulations
2012 banned off-throttle exhaust-blown diffusers which Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari had all developed through 2011 (using engine-management tricks to keep exhaust gases flowing through the diffuser when the driver lifted). The front bulkhead height was lowered, producing the visually distinctive 'stepped nose' adopted by most teams (Ferrari F2012, Sauber C31, etc.). DRS, KERS, Pirelli high-degradation tyres and V8 engines continued. Sebastian Vettel won his third consecutive title.
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Exhaust-blown diffuser banned
Teams were prohibited from using engine mapping that kept exhaust gases flowing at significant mass-flow rates when the driver was off-throttle. The technique, which Red Bull had perfected, had been effectively a de-facto 'active diffuser'. The ban limited how much rear-end downforce could be generated via exhaust routing.
Last updated: 2026-04-24
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