F1 rivals fear new boys Brawn GP

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Rivals of Brawn GP say the team could dominate the first race of the season in Australia on Sunday after their sensational form in pre-season testing.

"They will disappear on the basis of what we have seen in testing," said Williams team boss Sir Frank Williams. "I just hope we can be up there, too."

Former champion Fernando Alonso said Brawn's pace was "impressive".

However, a row is looming over the design of a part on Brawn's cars, as well as those of Williams and Toyota.

BBC Sport understands that Red Bull intend to lodge a protest against those teams if their cars are not declared illegal when governing body the FIA checks whether they conform with the regulations on Thursday.

The other six teams are also unhappy with the design of the rear diffuser on the Brawn, Williams and Toyota.

The diffuser is the rear part of the floor of the car between the rear wheels and under the rear wing.

It is crucial to the aerodynamics of the car, and small changes can have a big impact on the amount of downforce - and therefore grip and speed - the car can produce.

Brawn GP carries the name of former Honda team principal Ross Brawn, who put together a last-minute management buy-out in March.

Honda, whose team was based in Brackley, Northamptonshire, pulled out of Formula 1 in December because of falling road-car sales and the global economic crisis.

After Brawn's participation was confirmed, Englishman Jenson Button and team-mate Rubens Barrichello of Brazil shocked their opponents by setting the pace in pre-season testing in Barcelona and also shining a week later in Jerez.

"They are making the rest of us look like amateurs," added Williams.

Renault's Alonso noted Brawn's fine pre-season displays but sounded a note of caution.

"The times set by the Brawn cars in testing are impressive and suggest they will be racing at the front in Melbourne," he said on Wednesday.

"However, testing is one thing and racing is another, and as with our other competitors there could be some surprises this year."