The FIA is unbelievable!

May 5, 2005 by paul
Filed under: Uncategorized

So BAR have been banned from the next two Grands Prix^* because their car was underweight at the San Marino race. [^*Races = Spain this weekend & Monaco two weeks later.]

I agree with BAR’s Nick Fry: “BAR Honda is appalled at the decision and asserts that the judgment is contrary to all of the evidence heard. The team proved it complied with the current regulations and the FIA now acknowledges that the regulations are unclear.”

From what I read of the evidence presented at the case, BAR proved that the FIA were aware of the second fuel tank before San Marino, from as early as the start of the season in fact, and the FIA have said it’s not illegal!

The ban is basically because the car was weighed with some fuel left in one of the tanks; BAR say they did what the stewards (of the San Marino race) requested. That makes it even more unbelievable that the stewards weren’t called in the case, given they were actually there, saw the car and decided it WAS legal. The FIA decided, after the race, to have that decision overturned by their (the FIA’s) International Court of Appeal.

I’ve always said that Bernie Ecclestone is an evil little man – he makes no secret of his pro-Ferrari favouritism. It’s been interesting to read over the past few months how the teams (not Ferrari though, of course) have said that Ecclestone’s side-kick Max Mosley is an even bigger problem.

What a farce!

The official F1 site has the revised, revised results from San Marino. I can’t be bothered with updating my charts right now – this is SO unjust.

p.s. It’s not just me being a Button fan (I’m not that much of a fan – I’d just rather support him than anyone else right now) – I’ve been reading a couple of discussion boards and the general consensus is that (a) the FIA is a joke, (b) Bernie just needs to deal with Benetton and then things will be the way he wants them, and (c) it’s another nail in the FIA’s coffin.

Update: BBC reports that BAR will not fight the ban.

Team boss Nick Fry revealed that missing Monaco, the jewel in the crown of the Formula One calendar, means BAR will trigger penalty clauses in their sponsorship contracts.

“This is going to cost a huge amount of money. I haven’t calculated what it is at the moment. In terms of our obligations I can confidently say this is going to add up to $10m at least,” said Fry.