Diffuser protests possible, admits Whiting

FIA Technical Delegate Charlie Whiting has explained that teams using clever off-throttle engine map settings to keep exhaust gases flowing over their cars' diffusers could face protests after the Spanish Grand Prix, despite deciding not to ban the performance-enhancing technique at the Circuit de Catalunya.

Virgin and Hispania Racing are examples of outfits that do not currently use the method meaning they, among others, could decide to complain after the event.

"It is always a possibility," Whiting replied when asked about the possibility of protests. "I have made that clear to the teams that it could happen and then we will take it to the stewards in the normal way.

"We have always maintained in all of our technical directives that we have sent for many years now that this is merely the opinion of the technical department. Anyone is free to challenge it in front of the stewards, it doesn't happen very often but it has happened in the past. As you know with the brakes in Brazil, in 1998."

Whiting added that he could not rule out the possible disqualification of cars if a protest is lodged, but insists it is unlikely: "I would like to think that it probably wouldn't happen, but one never knows. It is not beyond the realms of possibility. A protest is open to anybody as you know and then it will go before the stewards."