FIA dismiss Lotus protest

The FIA have sided once again with Mercedes over the battle regarding their rear wing design.

On Thursday it was revealed that Lotus had filed an official protest against Mercedes and later on in the day FIA Technical Delegate Jo Bauer met with Alan Permane and James Allison from Lotus and Ross Brawn and Geoff Willis from Mercedes.

Lotus complaint was based around Article 3.15, asking whether the Mercedes device altered the aerodynamic characteristics of the car.

In a statement the FIA said: 'Having examined the evidence presented, the Stewards DECIDE unanimously that the Protest is DISMISSED.'

The FIA went on to clarify their decision by explaining that there are many different designs up and down the paddock where teams have attempted to take advantage of the change in airflow caused by the activation of the DRS and Mercedes design is just another example of this.

The Mercedes design itself complies with all bodywork geometric and stiffness regulations and is entirely passive, with no moving parts.

The purpose of the DRS is to improve overtaking and the Mercedes design is completely consistent with this objective.

One of the other complaints Lotus had over the design was that it was driver enabled, which is illegal, however the FIA have stated that the system isn't activated by driver movement and is in fact a consequence of a change of position of the driver adjustable bodywork, when DRS is enabled and that this is permitted under the regulations.