According to certain sources, the
Brawn GP-Mercedes cars may have raced the Australian Grand Prix, opening round of the 2009 Formula 1 season, with a car fitted with illegal exhausts.In Melbourne, the stunning BGP001 had a noticeable length of exhaust stocking out of the holes in the engine cover. The first version of the
Ferrari F60 ran similar exhaust pipes during testing until the engineers corrected it a few weeks later with a new engine cover.
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| Brawn GP exhausts in Melbourne (photo by WRI2) |
The Formula 1 rules don't specifically disallow protruding exhausts, but also don't specifically allow it. There have been no protests, and no other team directors are raising concerns.
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| Brawn GP exhausts in Malaysia (photo by Brawn GP) |
However, web site
F1networks.net understands that informal discussions took place between the Australian and Malaysian Grands Prix, and the bodywork around the exhaust exit was extended slightly to cover the pipe (see photos).The Brawn GP team are now concentrating on their defence of their disputed diffuser, with the FIA World Council hearing taking place on April 14 in Paris.
photo: WRI2 & Brawn GP