Williams drops Ferrari, Red Bull Melbourne protest

Having signalled its intent to protest the four Ferrari and Red Bull Racing cars post-qualifying in Melbourne this weekend, Williams has subsequently had a change of heart and elected not to uphold its complaint.

The Grove-based outfit had lodged a protest against the two teams in question over what is understood to be a sidepods issue, but withdrew it again before stewards had made a ruling.

'The AT&T Williams team confirmed that following today's qualifying session, it submitted protests against two competitor teams under the 2009 Technical Regulations,' read a statement from the former multiple world champions, for whom Nico Rosberg will start fifth in the Australian Grand Prix and team-mate Kazuki Nakajima eleventh.

'After further detailed consideration, Williams has withdrawn both protests in the interests of the sport. Williams recognises the possibility that in this area there could be more than one interpretation of the rules, and therefore does not feel it appropriate to continue with the protests.'

Somewhat ironically, the Oxfordshire concern is also the subject of a different protest, with the FIA Court of Appeal set to hear the case put forward by Ferrari, Renault and Red Bull against the 'diffuser three' - Williams, Brawn GP and Toyota - in Paris on 14 April, after Albert Park stewards ruled that all three cars were legal to race.