[Jelc]

Ferrari, Renault and Red Bull have filed formal protests over 'illegal bodywork' on the cars of rivals Williams, Toyota and Brawn ahead of the Australian Grand Prix this weekend.

The governing FIA said it would meet immediately to hear the protest before Sunday's race after officials approved a rear diffuser on the Williams, Toyota and Brawn cars (Brawn's rear diffuser pictured).

The protesting teams said the diffusers, put on the underbody of the cars to make them more aerodynamic, are contrary to the rules.

"This is a sporting and competitive issue, it's nothing personal against the teams," Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said.

"It's illegal," Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko said ahead of his team's official protest. "That diffuser guarantees a five-tenths (of a second) advantage per lap."

The controversy surfaced in pre-season testing and intensified when the new Brawn GP cars proved fastest, with Brawn driver Jenson Button picked as this weekend's favourite even though he has won just once in 153 Formula One races.

The 29-year-old Briton tried to steer clear of the controversy.

"It's not something that I have any control over personally and the best person to speak to about that is Ross (Brawn)," he said.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/260320...australia.html