Red Bull declares controversial diffusers ‘illegal’

(GMM) The spectre of official protests against the rear diffusers of three 2009-spec cars on Monday grew ever larger.

Mere days ahead of scrutineering for the Australian grand prix, Red Bull's motor racing advisor Helmut Marko declared that the solutions on the Toyota, Williams and Brawn cars are "illegal".

"They have a double-diffuser which gives them five tenths per lap (extra)," the Austrian told sportnet.at on Monday.

"Seven teams – including Red Bull – are united: they are illegal," said Marko, raising the probability of a formal protest at the scene of the season opener this weekend.

He claims both Renault and Red Bull discussed the legality of a similar aerodynamic concept with the FIA early last year and "at that time there was a negative answer".