More diffuser protests likely at Sepang

UPDATE 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.

"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."

04/02/09 (GMM) More protests against the controversial diffusers of three formula one teams are likely to be lodged in Malaysia this weekend, Red Bull boss Christian Horner said on Thursday.

A week ago in Australia, after stewards ruled the diffusers of the Brawn, Toyota and Williams teams legal, protests were lodged by Ferrari, Renault, BMW and Red Bull.

BMW's protest was thrown out on a technicality, but the other teams' case was referred to the FIA's Court of Appeal, with a hearing scheduled for April 14.

Horner suggested that other teams without the so-called 'double diffusers' at Sepang may now lodge similar protests, although he said Red Bull will not be one of them.

"I wouldn't be surprised if there were protests this weekend," he said in Malaysia, where late on Thursday the cloudy skies turned dark and a heavy storm struck.

"I think we've been through our process in Australia, we have our appeal date, and that's what we're working towards."