The FIA have asked for BAR to be thrown out of the 2005 Formula One World Championship after accusing the team of cheating at the recent San Marino Grand Prix.http://www.formula1.com/images/spacer.gifAt a hearing in Paris on Wednesday, the FIA claimed that BAR had deliberately set out to gain an “illegitimate and unfair advantage” over their rivals. They then asked the International Court of appeal to exclude the team and fine them at least one million euros.

The appeal concerns Jenson Button’s third place finish at Imola and the fact that his car was found to underweight once drained of fuel following the race. BAR maintain that the car was legal throughout the event, a claim that the San Marino race stewards agreed with.

The focus of the hearing was a small, secondary fuel tank on Button’s car, which the FIA admitted they were aware of. When this was emptied the car fell under the minimum 600 kilogram weight limit.

However, BAR technical director Geoffrey Willis told the Court that the additional tank was a collector tank which had to hold a minimum of six litres of fuel at all times in order for the car to function.

After the two-and-a-half hour hearing, BAR CEO Nick Fry said he was convinced the team had successfully made their case and that he expected the Court to find in their favour. A decision is expected on Thursday afternoon.


It's getting serious.... I don't hope it'll happen. Ok, they cheated, but it's always bad for a sport if a team gets excluded...

Poor BAR Honda. They're such a talented team, and they have really talented drivers. I feel bad for them.

Yes, i too have much pity for BAR, one of the finist private funded team's out there.
This may blow over soon, remember after schumacher won the world championship in i think 1999/2000 ?, an inquest happened just after the race about his front wing that was supposed to be illegal to FIA standard's, no one heard of it after that !

B.A.Racing is such a new team.
It will not be nice to exclude them so early from F1.

B.A.Racing is such a new team.
It will not be nice to exclude them so early from F1.
Yeah, And they are pretty quick.. they have alot going for them..
I hope this does not happen..

BAR handed two-race banhttp://www.formula1.com/images/spacer.gifhttp://www.formula1.com/images/spacer.gif'

BAR will be missing from the grid in Barcelona this weekend after being banned for two events by the International Court of Appeal. It follows Wednesday’s hearing in Paris over the legality of Jenson Button’s car at the previous round at Imola.http://www.formula1.com/images/spacer.gifAs well as being unable to compete in the Spanish or Monaco Grands Prix, BAR will lose the 10 points they scored in San Marino for Button’s third-place finish and Takuma Sato’s fifth-place result.

More to follow.

Well I think all the teams out there have a deep study of FIA rules, and try to find leak and holes in them to make advantage of their own, BAR is certainly one of them, remember that they retire two cars seeing that they are no where to score points, just to make use of the rule enable them to put on new versions of engine for Sepang?
They are a very talented team, and Honda have a glory results back with the Mclaren days, but too many twinkering within the rules, I don't think it is a very honourable thing to do, bad image for Honda also.

I bet Jenson is fuming over this, no wonder he wants to go to BMW. I have a great respect for BAR-Honda, they are one of my favorite teams and I hope they come out fighting, but this has damaged their championship hopes beyond repair and its all the FIA's fault. They should of had a team vote through the paddock and then decided. Fair enough stripping Jenson of his points, but to ban them from a race is really stupid... As a racing driver, I know that I would be very very un-happy by this and would seriously be having words with the team.

BAR are a good team if this had been say Ferrari it would never have happened. its really annoying:@

but for anyone whos gonna argue with me i guess at the end of the day they cheated -- they lose out

Yes, i too have much pity for BAR, one of the finist private funded team's out there.
This may blow over soon, remember after schumacher won the world championship in i think 1999/2000 ?, an inquest happened just after the race about his front wing that was supposed to be illegal to FIA standard's, no one heard of it after that !
Thats because his name is Schmacher and he drives a ferrari

Anyone heard about Ferrari training more than the allowed?

They don't train more then allowed. It's a gentlemen's agreement between the other teams. Nothing is official, but Ferrari doesnt agree. They're doing nothing wrong.

O, Cheeky girl: that's bullshit. Every not-ferrarifan/hater says that. And I'm getting so sick of it.

i thought i might have some arguments after that point

Dont turn it like that.
FIA and generally in F1 everyone can be disrupted. Every team, if something is wrong and not by the rules.
This isnt football or baskteball.
This is F1. Every team on the grid is equal in FIA's eyes.
FIA dont overwatch only F1.FIA is a worldwide company and they dont seem to be :Ah its a Ferrari, we dont ban them cause they are world champions...
Get a life...

okay i'm sorry but it's my opinion therefore i have a right to write it

Thats another point and it is acceptable by me... :D