The result of the rigged trials: the war continues!

On Friday, the first tests of the 2009 season took place, amid controversy once again. The 2009 regulations have changed significantly, so teams had to comply with them, but several are considered to be on the edge of compliance by others: the case of the diffusers.

In fact, Brawn GP, Williams, and Toyota are using diffusers that take advantage of loopholes in the new regulations. The other teams, which strictly adhere to the rules, feel greatly disadvantaged and filed a complaint yesterday. The FIA has therefore analyzed the diffusers, which it deems legal, and has thus dismissed the other teams’ claims.

More than a dispute over broadcasters, it’s a tug of war that has recently begun between the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) and the FOTA (Formula One Teams Association).

The FOTA, currently led by Ron Dennis and composed of the major bosses of F1 teams, is demanding money from Bernie Ecclestone. According to them, the TV rights have not been properly redistributed. A mini-war has erupted with a flurry of quotes. Yesterday, the teams were threatening not to participate in the F1 Grand Prix for all these reasons (vagueness in the regulations, undistributed money…). Today, the teams are disrupting the tests.

Indeed, to show their disagreement with the use of special diffusers, the constructor teams, namely McLaren, Ferrari, Renault, and BMW, have chosen to run with a full tank of fuel, more than 30 liters, during all practice sessions. The other teams mostly run with an empty tank. The reason is simple: to increase the gap between the smaller teams and the constructor teams in order to give the public an impression of “anything goes.” The aim is, of course, to frighten Mr. Ecclestone, the F1’s main financial backer.

Formula 1 has never been as controversial as it is right now, and there is still doubt about the smooth running of the qualifying sessions in a few hours.