Ross Brawn hopes Australian GP not overshadowed by 'legal' rear wing row

Rivals Lotus and Red Bull Racing both believe that the DRS-activated F-duct on the Mercedes is a breach of the regulations - because they claim it is an aerodynamic device that is activated by the actions of a driver.

However, the FIA does not agree with that view - which means that if ongoing talks about the matter do not reach a satisfactory conclusion on Sunday morning then there remains the possibility that one of the two unhappy teams could lodge a protest at the end of the race.

Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn is keeping his fingers crossed that such a situation does not pan out - especially because his team has had approval from the FIA to run the device that is believed to help blow air over the lower area of the rear wing to help stall it for a straight-line speed boost.

"There were some stories earlier that there were going to be some protests, but I think that would be very unfortunate and it is not really the way to resolve these issues," said Brawn, when asked by AUTOSPORT about the rear wing situation.

"We have never really done that and a protest after qualifying or after a race is not very pleasant because it can be done on a Thursday or it can be done on a Friday when it is less critical, and the system can be turned off.

"To protest someone after they have been running is a bit unpleasant and not something that we would intentionally do. I hope it doesn't deteriorate to that, but it is a new and novel system and we have to see, as always."

Brawn knows that in Formula 1 there is always the chance of a clarification from the FIA outlawing technical innovations that have previously been approved - and said that if that happened then his team would likely just have to accept it and change its car.

"Obviously we kept the FIA informed of what we were doing," he said. "They physically checked the system on Wednesday and they were completely happy with it - some of you interview Charlie [Whiting, head of FIA technical department] and he confirmed that they were happy with the system. Some other teams are not quite so happy and are seeking clarification.

"Obviously if there is clarification to the point that the FIA are not happy with it, then we will change our position. If the FIA continue to be happy with it then we will continue to use it. We are happy with it."

If the FIA sticks to its guns on the matter, and rivals either opt not to protest it or their complaints are rejected, then other teams will have to copy the technology.

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh thinks such a move would not be too complicated - although reckoned it might be tricky to ensure that car performance was not actually weakened.

"What you have to make sure is that in trying to achieve the F-duct you don't compromise the fundamental underlying performance of those aerodynamic parts," he said.

"But I think it is not too challenging a job to introduce all the various ducting if indeed you can find a solution that will give you a better solution - both deployed and not deployed."