The first and most important issue on the FIA agenda this weekend is clarifying the rear-diffuser situation. Williams F1, Toyota and Brawn GP have been accused by several F1 teams for coming up with illegal designs for their rear-diffusers, aimed to improve their cars' behavior when cornering through increased downforce.
Although cleared by the FIA after the Barcelona group test earlier this month, it is rumored that some outfits – Red Bull were the only ones to make it public this week – will challenge the legality of the aforementioned cars if they'll make it past the Thursday scrutineering. If such a situation happens, the losing party will more than likely forward an appeal to the Aussie stewards' decision shortly after the Sunday race.
That would mean a final decision on the matter will only be announced after the Malaysian Grand Prix, as this is the nearest date for the FIA International Court of Appeal to meet. The only good thing that will eventually come out of the situation is that the designs will finally be given a clear and final verdict.
On the other hand, Bernie Ecclestone's personal fight with the FOTA representatives has taken the conflict to another level this weekend. Due to the fact that several teams have not yet received payments from the F1 supremo (that Bernie owed them for some time), they threatened to boycott the Australian GP. The teams in question are Renault and McLaren, while Ferrari are likely to join the group.
Ecclestone is expected to clear that situation tomorrow, when scheduled to meet the teams' representatives ahead of the Melbourne race.
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