Virgin, HRT, or Williams

So... based on Charlie Whiting... everyone but Virgin, HRT, and Williams is in essence already running illegal cars

http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/f1-exhaust-saga-could-become-f1-protest-scandal/

So who will LEGALLY win Tomorrows race??

At this point, ALL teams are legal.

HRT, Virgin and Williams happen to be the only ones not using the combined benefits of off-throttle engine mapping and blown diffusers. They haven't the money to further advance their designs and they're slow (and complaining) as a result. Plus, it's no coincidence that these three teams are the only ones using Cosworth engines.

The FIA has clarified the rules and will reinforce that update after a few races. That doesn't mean there are illegal cars running now. It does mean the affected teams have a little time to adjust and dial-back their engine tunes. Bad money thrown after good, IMHO.

This may/will reduce the gap between teams but the on-track results won't change.

oldsaw wrote: That doesn't mean there are illegal cars running now.

Actually... they are, according to Charlie Whiting

"But Charlie Whiting, the FIA technical delegate, admitted to reporters late on Friday that the technology is in effect already illegal, due to the wording of the regulations about driver-assisted aerodynamic aids."

Here's a summary taken from another forum:

They first say it could be viewed as an aerodynamic moveable device. Then say it's banned. Then says it isn't and then says it might be if other teams protest. What a bloody mess.

Which regards this article (and further developments): http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/91475

I concede that the teams (may be) running illegal cars based on that article and the current position the FIA, aka Charlie Whiting, had taken.

But, this situation further illustrates the FIA's inability to write and enforce the very rules they create. If Whiting encourages and entertains protests from the likes of HRT, Virgin and Williams, add an exclamation point to my previous sentence.

Dumping this load of E36M3 on 75% of the grid (which has the backing of Ferrari, Mercedes and Renault) is a sure way to convince the major players to walk away and start their own series. Like that formula was a great success for American open-wheel racing....

Semantics really, they are all legal if they run, and they all ran