F1: same old, same old

The RAC racing regulations in the UK say that the basic principle in race equipment design is that, if the rules do not expressly permit it, then teams should not do it.

But that's not in the nature of top-flight sport: pushing the boundaries is what it's all about.

Last year, Renault lost out due to the engine freeze: other teams boosted performance claiming that the performance increase was incidental to reliability and safety alterations - which were permitted.

Marko says that both Red Bull and Renault asked the FIA early in the 2008 season if they could use a "double diffuser" and were told no.

A formal complaint cannot be made until the teams enter scrutineering for the first race of the season. That will be before Friday's practice.

But not all are happy chappies in the paddock: The Times reports that Renault and McLaren both threatened not to go to Melbourne because of what they claim is unpaid income from the FIA. The Herald Sun in Melbourne reported that Ferrari may also have made similar threats. The Herald Sun quoted race promoter Ron Walker as saying that the situation is "very serious."

But the FIA is adopting its usual tactic of doing as it pleases: Garry Connelly, an FIA representative, was quoted as saying "They have sponsorship agreements in place. What are they going to do -- throw away a large percentage of their television coverage just because they're upset?"