Sauber joins diffuser row

BMW Sauber have formally added their weight to the protest over the controversial diffuser used by Brawn GP, Toyota and Williams in the first two Formula One grands prix of the season.

The aerodynamic benefits of the diffuser have been clear to see for the three teams, who claimed five of the top six spots in Melbourne last week and they shone again at Sepang today, recording five of the six best times in qualifying for the Malaysian Grand Prix.

Renault, Red Bull and Ferrari had already protested against the design, with the International Court of Appeal to hear their case on April 14, and following today’s qualifying Sauber also made a formal complaint.

“The protest is purely a formal matter,” said a BMW spokesman said.

“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 April 14.”