Motorsport's governing body rejected three F1 Teams ligality

Motorsport's governing body rejected three F1 Teams ligality

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.
Jenson Button's Brawn team are the subject of a protest at the Australian Grand Prix
Button's car is the subject of a protest appeal by rivals

BBC Sport understands Toyota, expecting a row in Melbourne, brought an alternative diffuser to the race and they could have raced with that.

However, asked if his team had a contingency plan if the diffuser had been declared illegal, Toyota Motorsport president John Howett replied: "No, because I don't think we need one.

"In motor racing anybody is allowed to protest and I don't have an issue with that. But we've studied the regulations in detail, and we're very confident we have interpreted them correctly.

"We used the consultation process with the FIA technical department and we are satisfied that they verified our interpretation.

"We will just now wait to see what the stewards, or subsequent court, may decide."

Brawn and Williams have no option but to race with their existing diffuser.

If Brawn, Toyota and Williams eventually have their cars passed legal after the appeal, then their rivals will be forced to design similar parts themselves.

This would be a particularly troubling situation for Red Bull, whose car has been designed with a rear suspension system that makes it impossible to build a similar diffuser.

Red Bull's rear suspension operates a unique pull-rod system - where the arms pull down on the dampers, as opposed to the push-rods used by all other teams - which would require a major redesign if it was to be changed to incorporate a diffuser such as that used by Brawn, Williams and Toyota.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said the row would not threaten the political unity the teams have been showing in their disputes with the FIA over the future of F1.

F1 Mole's Blog
Toyota have taken a few different diffusers to Australia just in case they are forced to change it

F1 Mole

"This is a sporting and competitive issue, it has nothing to do with the workings of Fota (the F1 Teams' Association)," Horner said.

"It's nothing personal against the teams, it's simply looking to clarify regulations - our interpretations and [those of] others have been different.

"Our purpose in all of this is to establish the clarity of the regulation, because it has significant impact on how we channel our development."