BAR to face FIA appeal today 04 May 2005
BAR will appear before the International Court of Appeal in Paris on Wednesday to explain why Jenson Button’s car was found to be underweight following his third-place finish at Imola.
Although Button’s car met the minimum weight requirement immediately following the San Marino Grand Prix, it then failed the test once drained of fuel. BAR supplied the stewards with data to prove that the car would have been legal throughout the race and their explanation was accepted.
Although nothing illegal was discovered on Button’s car, after learning that it was capable of running underweight, the FIA decided to contest the stewards’ decision, meaning BAR must once more present their case.
"BAR Honda will provide the same rigorous data presented to the stewards and is confident that it can prove once again that the car was fully compliant with the FIA Technical Regulations throughout the San Marino Grand Prix,” said Nick Fry, the team’s CEO.
If the Court were to conclude that BAR deliberately flouted the regulations, the consequences could be severe. At the very least, Button and BAR would likely have their third place struck from the San Marino Grand Prix results.
A decision is expected on Thursday afternoon.
