Overhaulin'

What would happen if the F1 rear diffusers were declared illegal?

First off this isn't an "are they / aren't they" legal question so I don't want those answers. Rather I'm curious about the rules and any presidents that exist and what effect they would have on the previous races and standings. So yeah Williams, Toyota, and Brawn are using rear diffusers on all six of their cars which the competing teams have all challenged as being illegal. And it looks like the case won't be settled until mid April (after Malaysia). So what I want to know is if the rear diffusers are declared illegal what will happen to the three teams? Would the points be erased from the constructors and drivers, with the rest of the field not using diffusers be pushed up filling up the rest of the points places? I.E. Would the Australian podium be amended with Hamilton, Alonso, and Buemi taking the top three spots? So yeah I realize I wrote presidents when I meant precedents.

Public Comments

1. I'm not too sure, but I think that they would have to modify the cars and they will be fined and points taken off
2. My understanding is that the diffusers are not being called illegal by the other teams. They are considered being against the "spirit" of the rule. I seem to remember similar incidents and the teams were not penalized but they did have to remove the feature from the car. The difference between illegal and against the spirit of the rule is how the teams will be penalized. Not illegal means no penalty. The fact that diffuser is being deemed against the spirit of the rules means to me that no penalty will be assessed.
3. With the initial protest having been dismissed, the diffusers (or "confusers" as Eddie Jordan called them on Saturday. Heh heh) are legal right now. All points scored by cars currently using the disputed design will stand. If the appeal is successful Williams, Toyota, Brawn and any other cars that fit them between now and then will have to switch to another design afterwards. Nothing will happen to the scores. There would be no retrospective consequences.
4. I believe FIA has a flexibility in determining the punishments if there is any to be meted out. My examples below may not be exactly the scenario that has occured Possible punishments: 1. Take away the points from the constructors but leave the drivers points alone. They will not add the points to other teams. Example in 2007 where after the spygate incident, McLaren was stripped of all points but their drivers kept their points. 2. Take away all the points from the 3 teams and move the other teams up the grid. This almost happened in 1999 Malaysian Grand Prix where Ferrari cars had problems (found after the race) and but subsequently reinstated on appeal. 3. Fine, but not docking of points. 4. Remove the illegal parts for future races and no further actions.
5. If the appeal by Ferrari, Red Bull and Renault against the stewards' decision in Melbourne is upheld, then Brawn, Toyota and Williams would take it to the FIA Motorsport Council for arbitration. That could drag on into May. The cars would still be allowed to race under appeal, but if the council found that the diffusers were actually illegal then the results of all the races up to that point would have to be changed. Nightmare scenario. Expect a ruling in favour of Brawn & Co at the hearing, because F1 is going to make an awful mess for itself to clear up otherwise.