Brawn disappointed Mercedes' wing debate is dragging on for third straight race

Speaking before a scheduled meeting with race stewards to discuss the legality of the DRS-activated F-duct on the W03, Brawn said he believed the matter should have been cleared up earlier in the campaign.

"I think it is disappointing after three races that we are still in this situation," he explained before being notified of Lotus' protest.

"The system hasn't changed and the FIA's position hasn't changed, and as far as I understand their arguments haven't changed. So if they protest now, why didn't they protest in Australia? There is nothing new."

Brawn said that he was baffled about why rival teams had got so worked up over the system - especially because he reckoned its benefit was marginal.

"It is a bit of a puzzle," he explained. "Obviously there are benefits in the system but I think Lotus was quoted that they are getting a 0.2 second benefit upgrade here. Well, I can promise you that our system is not [worth] 0.2 of a second - particularly in a race when you only get to use it whenever you overtake.

"The effort and time that has gone into it seems to be disproportionate, so it does seem to be a strange situation."

Brawn also reiterated that the concept of using the DRS-system for an extra benefit was ratified as long ago as 2010.

"It is a matter of record that in 2010 Charlie [Whiting] stated that such a system was legal. It is in the minutes of the [technical] working group meetings. The question was asked and he stated his opinion then that he considered it legal. It has not been going on for three races. It has been going on for two years."