Red Bull believe new exhaust is legal

The Formula One teams might be in the process of packing up everything to head on out to Australia, but the first arguments over the current regulations has begun.

Probably the biggest changes to Formula 1's technical regulations over the winter was in regards to exhaust configuration on the cars, ultimately in a bid to ban the blown diffusor concept from last year.

But during the final days of last week's Barcelona test, Red Bull unveiled its latest aerodynamic package, which included a controversial design at the back end of the car.

The exhausts appear to have been situated as far forward as possible, without bending the rules, however some Formula One teams have questioned the position of some slots in the rear floor area, which could be there to direct exhaust flow into the diffuser area, which would break the new regulations [or at the very least the spirit of the regulations].

'We are happy that we comply with the regulations, Ultimately it is a matter for the scrutineers and the FIA, as they have more knowledge and sight. Teams only ever get to see photographs; the FIA gets to see the cars close up in reality.' Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner told Autosport Magazine.

It's likely that FIA's head of technical department Charlie Whiting will take a closer look at the design and make a decision over the Red Bull car ahead of the Australian Grand Prix next week.

Sauber and McLaren both have their own versions of the concept and the other teams will be interested in whether or not Red Bull have interpreted the rules correctly or not, because they will obviously either want the Red Bull to have to change their design, or they will want to know as quickly as possible in order to copy it!

'It comes down to what re-ingested exhaust gas is really and that's a question for Charlie,' Ferrari technical chief Pat Fry said.

'I think it's the obvious direction to go in, We gave it a shot; we didn't quite get it right. The issues we had, we weren't going to solve for at least the first four races, so that's why we had to back up and change course.

'Ultimately I think it is the way to get the most downforce out of the current rules, obviously depending on Charlie's interpretation, so we are continuing to look in that area, as I'm sure is the whole pit lane.'