Protest Mars F1 Season-opener

The F1 season-opening Australian Grand Prix has already been hit by controversy after a protest was lodged against the cars of three teams before the first round of practice sessions had even begun.

Ferrari, BMW Sauber, Renault and Red Bull claim the cars of Brawn GP, Toyota and Williams have illegal parts that give them an unfair advantage.

The protest was lodged after F1 stewards in Melbourne confirmed the cars conformed with the sport’s rules.

A spokesman for governing body the FIA said it hoped to have a verdict on the appeal within the next 24 hours. Whatever that verdict is, the losing parties are likely to make an appeal against it – and that hearing is unlikely to be scheduled by the FIA until after the second race of the season in Malaysia on 5th April.

The part in question is the rear diffuser on the Brawn, Williams and Toyota cars, the rear part of the floor of the car between the rear wheels and under the rear wing.

It is crucial to the aerodynamics of the car, and small changes can have a big impact on the amount of downforce – and therefore grip and speed – the car can produce.

Rivals believe the controversial diffusers create more downforce and give a lap-time benefit of as much as 0.5 seconds.

They say the diffusers in question contravene a rule that demands that the diffuser has an upper edge that runs in a horizontal straight line.

They also believe that the parts go against the aim of a huge raft of new rules that were introduced this year in an attempt to make it easier to overtake.

One of the main aims was to reduce the amount of air turbulence generated by the cars so drivers find it easier to follow closely behind.
 
If Brawn, Toyota and Williams eventually have their cars passed legal, then their rivals will be forced to design similar parts themselves at additional cost that some of the smaller teams will not be able to afford.