Motor racing: Ferrari protest over McLaren braking system

FERRARI lodged an official protest yesterday against the hi-tech braking system which helped carry the McLaren team to a one-two success in this month's Australian Grand Prix.

Their team spokesman, Claudio Berro, said: "We believe that the system used by McLaren provides their car with a four-wheel steering function. We need to clarify if this is legal."

Ferrari's move, less than 24 hours before the scheduled start of practice for the Brazilian Grand Prix, was expected by McLaren, whose team chief, Ron Dennis, said: "The system in question is the result of numerous communications with the FIA [motor sport's world governing body], all of which substantiate its legality."

Two other teams were expected to lodge similar appeals against the braking systems used by Williams and Jordan.

Dennis added that his team accepted the FIA ruling barring team orders to drivers after the controversy in Melbourne when David Coulthard allowed Mika Hakkinen to win the race.