Stewards clear Brawn, Williams and Toyota

MELBOURNE: Formula One stewards cleared Brawn GP, Toyota and Williams to race in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on Thursday after rejecting the protests of three rival teams.

After six hours of deliberation at the Albert Park circuit, the governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) said the officials had dismissed protests by Red Bull, Renault and champions Ferrari.

The three had the right to appeal, however. Should they do so, any final decision is likely to be deferred to an FIA court of appeal hearing after next month's Malaysian race.