Just when it looks like the sport it getting interesting the FIA decide to attempt to exclude one of the front runners. I don't know the full story but apparently the FIA admitted they were aware of the "concealed" fuel tank, the stewards at the race accepted BAR's logic regarding it's use, so what's to argue?
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Just when it looks like the sport it getting interesting
This isn't sport.
It's business.
There's the answer.
BTW, my expectation is that they will be docked team points, may be driver points, and probably fined, but Bernie can't afford to allow the boat to be rocked, and a team removed from what is alreadt such a small grid, under pressure to provide a spectacle. The Toyota turbocharger cheating case a few years ago was blatantly black and white, whereas there *appears* to be an element of subjectivity to the BAR case.
So, of course I can be proven very wrong tomorrow, but I expect "A way will be found".
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If they Ban BAR Honda, then I can 100% guarantee the FIA will only have a grid of three teams to preside over in the 2007 season.
BAR Honda, Williams BMW, McClaren Mercedes, Toyota, Renault, will be all be racing in another F1 championship not governed by the FIA.
Are the FIA that foolish? Possibly
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**BAR Honda, Williams BMW, McClaren Mercedes, Toyota, Renault, will be all be racing in another F1 championship not governed by the FIA.**
Interesting comment above regarding the possibilty of the named teams joining forces to create a new series. I have it on very good authority that one of the teams above is pushing for BAR to be punished.
Wouldn't they make strange bed fellows?
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It does sound a bit severe what the FIA want to give out as punishment. However, if a team is deliberately cheating they have a history of coming down hard, as mentioned above, with the Toyota turbos on the WRC cars. If it is an innocent error on the part of the BAR team then they can expect to lose their points for the race and some sort of fine.
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I first read the story here:
www.formula1.com/news/2939.html
Where it is claimed that the FIA already knew about the extra tank before this all happened:
"The focus of the hearing was a small, secondary fuel tank on Button?s car, which the FIA admitted they were aware of."
Which begs the question why are the kicking up the fuss?
Flexing muscles? Making a point? Why not tell them it was illegal before they raced with it?
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There was a similar 'scam' over 20 years ago when some F1 cars stated they had water cooled brakes.
Cars had a minimum race weight as usual which according to the requlations included all fluids. Some cars were well under weight but had a large water tank(for the brakes of course!!) which was filled to bring it up to the regulation weight. As soon as the race started this water was jettisoned.
IIRC some cars were disqualified for this practice and water cooled brakes were banned.
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There was a similar 'scam' over 20 years ago when some F1 cars stated they had water cooled brakes. Cars had a minimum race weight as usual which according to the requlations included all fluids. Some cars were well under weight but had a large water tank(for the brakes of course!!) which was filled to bring it up to the regulation weight. As soon as the race started this water was jettisoned. IIRC some cars were disqualified for this practice and water cooled brakes were banned.
Indeed.
Of the current F1 teams, Williams were a protagonist of this rule-bend.
Open 8w.forix.com/mc82.html and then search for water.
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Just in...they were given a 2 race ban and had the San Marino results nullified. It now transpires they were asked to drain the car of fuel, said they'd done it when there were still 15l onboard!
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/45...m
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Of course, had the team concerned been ferrari, the decision would have been EXACTLY the same.
Cough cough, ahem.
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Very good point Tom.
Ferrari are currently breaking the testing agreement made but no action is being taken.What about Maylasia 1999? illegal barge boards which were allowed.
According to the FIA themselves the rules regarding fuel and ballest are unclear.
Button's BAR Honda at Imola at no point ran underweight, what's the problem? It just needs clarifying in the rules NOT punishment.
I think F1 will end up like Indycar Racing back in the nineties, splitting into two championships which (CART / IRL) has not been sucessful.
I cant imagine a company like Honda being called cheats doing much good for the future of F1.
Its a shame for Button who has really showed great potential last season and in the last race at Imola.
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Ferrari are currently breaking the testing agreement made but no action is being taken.
That's a restriction imposed by the teams, not an FIA rule.
I would hate to see F1 split into 2 championships. I can see it happening, but not for the good of the sport, only the pockets of those who run it.
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Mike Farrow
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The additional Ferrari/Bridgestone testing no way makes up for the mileage Michelin cover via supplying all of the top teams other than Ferrari.
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And why would Ferrari agree voluntarily to stop using the things (ie tracks) in which they've invested large amounts of money in the last few years!
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The next two GP's promise to hit the heights of boredom. Eighteen cars on the grid, take away the Minardi's and Jordan's jam cars and you are not left with a very competitive field.
In addition to being a draconian punishment on BAR (points deduction would have been enough) F1 may have scored a bit of an own goal.
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I agree - so many people think it is a procession of cars led by a red Ferrari (well, they generally haven't seen a race this year!) and now we have a situation like Brazil last year where the end of race result wasn't the result and there were legal wranglings and a representation of the winners trohpy at the next race.
Why bother watching it live when you can read the result in the paper (but don't get Monday's paper, wait for Thursday to get the final final final result!!!!)
Don't get me wrong, I love F1 and most motorsport, but right now I find it hard to argue against those who complain about F1 which is sad.
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