While team bosses insist that the diffuser row will have no impact on the relationship the teams have established in recent months, there are sure to be scars.

There is no denying that neither Bernie Ecclestone nor Max Mosley is entirely at ease with the close-knit relationship between the teams that ultimately gave birth to FOTA, the Formula One Teams' Association. Therefore, it is hardly surprising that some point to the diffuser row as an opportunity to destabilise the relationship.

While some claim the row will have no effect on FOTA and that the teams are as united as they were before Melbourne, others point to Tuesday's hearing in Paris and the no-holds barred approach of some of those involved.

While we are already aware of Ferrari lawyer Nigel Tozzi's attack on Ross Brawn, whereby the Englishman was accused of being "a person of supreme arrogance", the Brawn GP boss gave as good as he got, hitting out at former Ferrari partner Rory Byrne and design guru Adrian Newey.

Brawn claimed Ferrari's case to be "vindictive" and was subsequently asked twice to retract remarks made against Byrne and Newey in his personal submissions. However, Brawn, who in partnership with Byrne, took Ferrari to countless titles, said: I have the highest regard for Mr Byrne but we are on opposite sides in this argument, so I stand by my statement."

In his written submission, Brawn accused Newey, who has previously won titles with Williams and McLaren, of "being unethical and of bringing the sport into disrepute", having claimed the speed of the BGP001 gives rise to safety concerns.

"The safety implication relating to a technical feature of the car is a bit below the belt," said Brawn. When asked if he would retract his words, he said: "No".

While the team bosses might say otherwise, the obvious hostility in Paris, combined with the championship standings and the promise of further upsets to the form book in the weeks to come, are the first signs of cracks in the FOTA 'marriage'.