OPENING SALVOS FIRED AT PARIS HEARING
Tuesday 14th April 2009
Ross Brawn was described as "a person of supreme arrogance" as the opening salvos were fired in the diffuser row hearing.
Ferrari, Renault, Red Bull Racing and BMW Sauber squared up against Brawn GP, Toyota and Williams in front of five judges representing the International Court of Appeal.
At the heart of the matter is the conceptual design of the diffuser - an aerodynamic body part that aids performance - towards the rear of the cars belonging to the three teams in the firing line.
At the FIA headquarters, overlooking the Place de la Concorde in Paris, Brawn and motor sport's world govening body were notably singled out for criticism.
Leading the debate was Ferrari's legal representative Nigel Tozzi QC, who successfully argued the team's case over 'spygate' and at last year's inquest into Lewis Hamilton's chicane-cutting move at the Belgian Grand Prix.
Tozzi drew reference to a seemingly emotional statement made by Brawn as part of his team's submissions amongst the mountain of paperwork to hand for the five judges to wade through.
In it, Brawn claims the appeal is "vindictive", and "for people too slow off the mark".
However, Tozzi concluded his 90-minute opening remarks by claiming that "only a person of supreme arrogance would think he is right when so many of his esteemed colleagues would disagree".
Brawn GP, Toyota and Williams have designed what has become known as a "double-decker diffuser", central to which are two apertures that increase airflow, so aiding downforce that in turn increases speed.
Ferrari, Renault, Red Bull Racing and BMW Sauber insist there is nothing in the technical regulations that allow for such "holes".
As Tozzi noted: "Anyone with a command of English will tell you it is a hole, so do not let someone attempting to be clever with words defeat the express purpose of the rules."
He added: "The appeal is not because we have not made the most of an opportunity, but because Brawn, Toyota and Williams have not acted within the regulations."
The FIA, and in particular technical director Charlie Whiting, also came under fire, with Tozzi accusing them of "getting it wrong, and not understanding the point".
That appeared to be made clear when Renault's legal representative, Andrew Ford, noted the FIA and Whiting had early last season ruled illegal a design by the French manufacturer similar to that currently being used by Toyota.
As Ford remarked: "It is not that Renault missed the boat, as Brawn have pointed out, it is because the FIA said it was illegal."
Ford added: "It was at that point the diffuser was abandoned."
Ford has confirmed Renault has a prototype diffuser ready to go, potentially for this weekend's race in China, should the appeal be dismissed.
Tozzi continued: "The position of the FIA is totally baffling...we urge you to save the FIA from itself."
It was pointed out that crucial to the seven teams without the new diffuser is the cost of redevelopment as the part concerned has a bearing on several other elements of a car.
Tozzi added: "It was Max Mosley who said recently that costs must be reduced by limiting the opportunities for technical innovation.
"If the appeal is dismissed then the claims by the FIA they want to make the sport more attractive and reduce costs will sound hollow."
A further assertion is that the 'double-decker' diffuser limits the opportunities for following cars to pass, in contrast to the aims of F1's Overtaking Working Group, in particular with regard to this year's new regulations.
Given the magnitude of the case, other than the five judges, there are 38 people present, either legal counsel, team personnel or from the FIA.
i hate that Tozzi w***er ever since the spy hearings, he is a typical Lawyer a rude arrogant twat! 
denthul read above about rushing one for China. it seems Renault already had one on the drawing boards!
1. Tozzi is a humongous prick!
2.
As Ford remarked: "It is not that Renault missed the boat, as Brawn have pointed out, it is because the FIA said it was illegal."
I knew this would come up the diffusers are not against the regulations if the FIA told Renault that theirs was and I believe they told Red Bull the same then they should of closed the loophole a year ago the FIA are largely to blame for this mess.
3. If Renault have their Diffuser as well as the necessary aero upgrades to increase the airflow for China or Bahrain then I will be very impressed the only team I thought capable of this is McLaren. If Ferrari don't have the Diffuser for Spain then I will be extremely surprised I know casting magnesium gearbox casings take time but surely not that much!
Remember "competitive animals know no limits"
But I totally see were your coming from. But I will have to check A1GP
Ferrari are breaking my heart at the moment though
I'm just hoping for a better weekend lol
++ I will have to check A1GP i watched it once and wasn't really that impressed, I like Formula Audi & Indy 
or before Denthul says, before everyone is up to pace...don't want him getting his little knickers in twist now do we....
