 Brawn GP have been the talk of F1 after surprising everyone in testing
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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.
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They are making the rest of us look like amateurs
Sir Frank Williams
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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."
Such has been the reaction to Brawn GP's impressive testing times, bookmakers have widely installed Button - who has won just one race 153 grands prix - as the favourite for Sunday's Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park.
Barrichello, a nine-time winner in 268 race starts, is delighted with the Mercedes V8-engine powered Brawn car.
"Just the driveability of the engine is a dream," he said. "Finally, when I accelerate, I have the feeling of knowing what to expect. The power is wonderfully manageable and predictable.
"I've been waiting for this car for such a long time."
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F1 Mole's Blog
F1 Mole
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Brawn, Williams and Toyota insist their interpretation of the rulebook is correct and that their designs are legal - a stance backed FIA president Max Mosley.
Renault boss Flavio Briatore recently voiced his concerns, while Red Bull Racing advisor Helmut Marko was adamant his team would take action if they deemed it necessary.
"It's illegal," he said. "We'll make a protest on Thursday if the component isn't modified to conform to the regulations, because that diffuser guarantees a five-tenths (of a second advantage per lap).
"Seven teams are certain it's illegal."
Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali hoped a protest would not be needed.
"We are convinced that certain interpretations that have been applied do not correspond to the nature of the rules," he said.
"If that extractor is illegal then it must not be used, while if it is legal it's up to the other teams, including us, to try to adapt as soon as possible, because performance is found in that area of the car."
"There needs to be a great sense of responsibility on everyone's part. I hope this issue can be resolved beforehand."
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