BMW officially joins diffuser appeal

BMW Sauber is to officially join the FIA's International Court of Appeal hearing into the diffuser row as an affected party, as teams continue to ponder about lodging a fresh protest at this weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix

Ferrari, Red Bull Racing and Renault have already appealed against a decision by the Australian GP stewards that the diffuser designs on the Brawn GP, Williams and Toyota cars are legal. That hearing is to take place in Paris on April 14.

BMW Sauber had originally planned to protest the diffuser gang in Australia too, but its complaint application was not completed in time.

Despite missing out on the initial appeal process, the team has now notified the FIA that it wishes to join the hearing so it can put forward its belief that the diffusers are illegal.

"We have announced that we want to be heard in the Appeal [hearing], and that has been confirmed by the ICA," BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen told AUTOSPORT. "We are joining as an affected, or concerned, party."

BMW Sauber is currently evaluating whether or not to protest the diffusers in Malaysia, perhaps after the race, with Theissen being seen in discussions with Ferrari in the Sepang paddock.

Theissen said: "It is open what we do here."

Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner said in Malaysia that his team was unlikely to join any protest in Malaysia, but could not rule out another outfit doing so.

"I wouldn't be surprised if there were a protest this weekend," he said. We've been through our process in Australia and we have our appeal date and that is what we are working towards."