Formula One's governing body on Wednesday approved the use of a car part that helped Brawn GP's Jenson Button win this season's opening two races. The FIA's International Court of Appeal ruled that the rear diffusers are legal and “comply with the applicable regulations.” It rejected an appeal by four teams against the technology, which channels the flow of air from the front to rear and helps create greater downforce through corners. The decision was a victory for diffuser users Brawn GP, Toyota and Williams. The ruling means the teams will keep the points they won in the first two races, with Button leading the drivers' standings after victories in Australia and Malaysia. Button has 15 points, five more than teammate Rubens Barrichello. Toyota pair Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock are next. Brawn GP, the former Honda team which was saved by a last-minute buyout by Ross Brawn, is the first new outfit to win its opening two races since Alfa Romeo in the inaugural F1 season in 1950. Ross Brawn said he was “pleased” with the ruling, which he said “brings this matter to its conclusion.” “We respect the right of our competitors to query any design or concept used on our cars through the channels available to them,” he said in a statement. The verdict was a defeat for rivals Ferrari, Renault, Red Bull Racing and BMW Sauber – and could force them to redesign their cars to help close the gap. The next race is this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai. Ferrari and the three others had filed appeals with the FIA, questioning the stewards' decision in Australia and Malaysia to allow Brawn GP, Toyota and Williams to race with rear diffusers. The rival teams argued the diffusers could breach new aerodynamic regulations. FIA officials held an eight-hour hearing in Paris on Tuesday, and handed down the ruling Wednesday. “Based on the arguments heard and evidence before it, the Court has concluded that the stewards were correct to find that the cars in question comply with the applicable regulations,” the brief FIA statement said. Button and Brazilian team mate Rubens Barrichello will now be favorites to complete a hat trick of Brawn victories on Sunday. Had the verdict gone against the three teams, Button could have been stripped of his wins with the championship thrown into turmoil.
