McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh fears F1 is in for a rough ride this weekend as a "number of teams" are set to protest Toyota, Williams and Brawn GP's rear diffuser designs.
With the first scrutineering process of the season taking place in Melbourne today it is believed that some teams, led by Renault and Red Bull, will protest the design of the Toyota, Williams and Brawn GP cars should the trio pass the inspection.
The controversy over the diffusers, which help control the flow of air under the car thereby increasing downforce, has over shadowed the start of the 2009 Championship - and Whitmarsh fears it will only get worse as the weekend goes on.
"A number of teams have told me that they will definitely protest today," the McLaren boss told Reuters.
"Sadly a lot of the column inches this weekend are going to be about controversy and it can easily become acrimonious.
"That's the way of Formula One, to sometimes stumble across into a very acrimonious environment. In defence of everyone, I don't think anyone has set out deliberately to cheat here.
"It's a shame that this sporting occasion is going to have that controversy thrust upon it over the course of the weekend."
Related Links
'Diffuser three' may have to run under appeal
