Brawn GP disqualified from the 2009 Australian GP, Hamilton first!

The news broke early this morning via a press release from the FIA, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile: Brawn GP, Williams, and Toyota have been disqualified from the 2009 Australian Grand Prix due to illegal diffusers.

The controversy was gradually swelling in the microcosm of Formula 1. Some teams were using a special diffuser on their cars, which allowed for better downforce performance at the rear of the vehicle. This ‘miracle’ diffuser was deemed illegal by teams that did not have it. The Australian stewards had analyzed the device before the GP and had, however, legalized its use.

According to Renault, McLaren and Ferrari in particular, the diffuser does not comply with the regulations, which are quite vague on the subject. These teams have therefore appealed the FIA’s decision after the qualifications and the judgment was to be delivered on April 14th.

In the meantime, as this decision now seems to favor teams without a miracle broadcaster, the FIA has demoted any team using it. This was the case for Brawn GP, Williams, and Toyota. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) thus wins the Grand Prix, ahead of Fernando Alonso (Renault) and Sébastien Buemi, who makes it to the podium in his first F1 Grand Prix. His teammate at Toro Rosso, Sébastien Bourdais, takes 4th place.

« After thorough analyses and measurements of the diffusers used by the Brawn GP, Toyota, and Williams teams, the FIA has decided to provisionally disqualify them. The sanction is pending review during the council meeting exceptionally organized for April 14th. Meanwhile, the concerned teams are asked to replace their diffuser. » The FIA statement specifies.

This decision therefore strongly questions their performances during the Malaysian GP this Sunday. It is even now certain that the FIA will favor traditional broadcasters during its Appeal.

Some teams had thus begun developing ‘miracle’ diffusers and will have to stop. A new statement should be available later in the day. In the meantime, happy April 1st, 2009.