F1 diffuser appeal scheduled for April 14

Formula One's Australian Grand Prix diffuser row will be decided at an international court of appeal hearing in Paris on April 14.

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) said that it had received appeals on behalf of Red Bull, Renault and champions Ferrari after Melbourne stewards rejected earlier protests ahead of today's season-opener.

The three protesting teams had questioned the legality of rear diffusers used on the new Brawn GP, Toyota and Williams cars.

The diffuser is a key aerodynamic element on all F1 cars, helping air to flow under the car and exit smoothly for maximum downforce and grip, but Brawn and the other two have been accused of going too far with their interpretations of the new rules.

Brawn, Toyota and Williams all say they have met the specifications.

The appeal hearing will be after the first two races of the season and on the Tuesday before the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.

That means that the winner in Melbourne today and Malaysia next weekend, if from one of the three teams under appeal, will have to wait before being certain of victory.