Wastegate-blown diffusers

Whilst the FIA have made extensive efforts to prohibit the use of exhaust-blown diffusers in Formula 1 from 2012 onwards, there appears to be no such proscription on the use of compressed air from the inlet manifold of an engine. Formula 1's engine formula changes to a 1.6 litre turbo-charged V6 in 2014, and the turbine in such an engine is constantly generating compressed air. The inlet manifold of a turbo engine has a blow-off valve, specifically designed to release pressure when the driver lifts off the throttle or the throttle is closed. Thus, the blow-off valve could be vented down to the sides of the diffuser, providing vital extra downforce when a driver comes off the throttle turning into a corner.

In terms of the legality of such a system, there is already a clear precedent. As pointed out in Giorgio Piola's Formula 1 Technical Analysis 2010/2011, the very first exhaust-blown diffuser, the Renault RE40 of 1983, had several outlets blowing each lateral channel of the diffuser; in Piola's diagram (p15), three came from the exhaust, but one came from the turbo wastegate, (in fact, in pictures featured on Craig Scarborough's site, there are only two outlets from the exhaust, and one from the wastegate).

Piola points out that the legality of the system was protested by Brabham at the 1983 Detroit Grand Prix, but the protest was rejected both in situ, and at a subsequent tribunal on 26th July. Hence, whilst the FIA might be able to regulate the position of the exhaust outlets, and the off-throttle pumping effect of the engine, the turbo wastegate could conceivably be used as an independent blowing device in 2014.