And the band played on!

***wombat666*** · April 12th, 2012, 05:32

Lotus files protest against Mercedes's rear wing
Thursday, April 12th 2012, 09:45 GMT

The Lotus team has filed a protest against Mercedes's rear wing ahead of this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix.
Although the FIA had deemed the DRS wing legal twice in the previous two races, Lotus has decided to officially protest its legality ahead of the Shanghai race, the third round of the championship.
The team lodged the protest under article 3.15 of the technical regulations.
"With the exception of the parts necessary for the adjustment described in Article 3.18, any car system, device or procedure which uses driver movement as a means of altering the aerodynamic characteristics of the car is prohibited," the rules sate.
A meeting with Lotus and Mercedes representatives will be held in the afternoon in China, with the former having already lodged a 2,000 Euro deposit for the protest.
Mercedes's design helps stall the front and rear wings for a straight-line speed boost, something rival teams believe it is illegal as it makes use of driver movement when he activates the DRS.

**Wing_Z** · April 12th, 2012, 22:23

Originally Posted by wombat666

Lotus files protest against Mercedes's rear wing
Thursday, April 12th 2012, 09:45 GMT

...
the stewards unanimously dismissed the protest, ruling that Mercedes’ design is not activated by the driver, but as a consequence of the permitted DRS movement.

Probably Lotus are just staking out their own position as regards diverting airflow.

**Wing_Z** · April 13th, 2012, 04:10

...and McLaren are taking this very seriously indeed.
So frightened are they of the Merc's aero package that they have pressed into service their cropdusting kit to try and make up the difference!

(McLaren pitot tube arrangement to measure diffuser airflow)