BMW Sauber protest Brawn, Toyota, Williams

Sepang (Malaysia):

BMW Sauber on Saturday lodged a protest against the rear diffusers being used by the Williams, Toyota and Brawn teams at the Malaysian Grand Prix.

A BMW Sauber spokesman said it was just a formality so that the sport's world governing body takes the Malaysian race into account when the International Court of Appeal meets later this month.

BMW, along with Renault, Red Bull and Ferrari had already lodged a protest against the diffusers at the Australian Grand Prix last week.

Race stewards there ruled they were legal but an appeal has been made which will be heard in Paris on April 14. "The protest is purely a formal matter," a BMW spokesman was quoted as saying by autosport.com.

"It is intended to ensure that the result in Malaysia is also taken into consideration in the judge's decision in the appeal proceedings on 14th April."

The row centres on the diffusers which Williams, Toyota and Brawn have on the underbody of their cars to make them more aerodynamic.

Ferrari, Renault, Red Bull and BMW Sauber claim they are contrary to the rules, generating more downforce that gives a lap-time benefit of as much as 0.5 seconds.