Diffuser teams poised to win.

Byline: MOTORSPORT

JENSON Button's Formula One world championship bid was set to remain on track today as the sport's 'diffuser gang' looked poised to escape punishment.

The International Court of Appeal were due to announce their verdict following an exhaustive eight-hour hearing yesterday at the FIA's headquarters in Paris.

At the centre of the debate aired in front of five judges, and with a remarkable 38 other personnel present - either legal counsel, team or FIA representatives - was the legality of the diffuser currently used by Brawn GP, Toyota and Williams.

The device has helped Button win the opening two grand prix of the season in Australia and Malaysia, giving the Briton the lead in the drivers' championship, and with Brawn GP heading the constructors' ahead of Toyota.

Although Ferrari, Renault, Red Bull and BMW Sauber argued fervently against the design, the judges were likely to side with the FIA and the stewards who had already determined the part was legal.

That will leave Brawn GP, along with Toyota and Williams, free to race in this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, and forcing their seven rivals into playing catch up.

As Paul Harris, the lawyer for Brawn GP argued: "It has been said this level of innovation is not good for Formula One. Well, what's good for Formula One is to have a team like Brawn GP competing with the established, wellresourced teams."

CAPTION(S):

Jenson Button.