Theissen: Diffuser decision vital for F1

BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen believes the FIA International Court of Appeal ruling on the diffuser row that is due in the next day will be vital for bringing a 'level playing field' into Formula 1

Speaking ahead of the ICA hearing that takes place in Paris today, with the verdict due to be issued tomorrow afternoon, Theissen thinks that the exciting start to the season has been skewed by the technical controversy.

He is adamant that the ripping up of the F1 formbook, with Brawn GP, Williams and Toyota having been so quick, is purely the result of those teams enjoying an advantage with their double-decker diffusers.

And although conceding that seeing different teams at the front is refreshing for the sport, he does not think that all teams have been operating to the same rule book so far.

"It is good to have fresh people, fresh teams [up there], and good to have a different picture from time to time - I would just wish that everybody plays on the same playing ground," said Theissen. "We need a level playing field as soon as possible.

"An F1 car is the most complex sports tool you can think of, so it is unavoidable that there are grey areas here and there.

"You cannot frame such a complex technical tool in words, but if it pops up like now, you have to react quickly and get it under control and come to a common view."

The ICA is to rule on protests lodged against the diffuser teams by Ferrari, Red Bull Racing, Renault and BMW Sauber. McLaren is also believed to have submitted written evidence for the hearing.

Those teams without the double-decker diffusers have been developing their own similar designs in case they are declared legal - although most teams may have to wait until the Spanish Grand Prix in May to bring them onto their cars.

Theissen added: "We are definitely not leaning back. We are developing a similar solution, despite thinking it doesn't comply with the idea of the rules and it costs a lot of money. We don't want to go this path but we have no choice, we have to develop it in case it is declared legal.

"I have to say I don't know where we are right now, or when it will be worth applying it to the car. It goes way beyond just developing a new diffuser, it affects the entire aero concept, so it requires quite a lot of development work.

"At the moment I cannot predict at what race we will have something that will be beneficial compared to what we have today."