APRIL 25, 2005

The FIA versus the FIA

The FIA is to appeal against the decision by the stewards at the San Marino Grand Prix not to take any action against BAR after the race. There was a six-hour period in which something was obviously happening before the stewards decided that the BAR-Honda was legal. The car had been weighed with and then without fuel. The second weighing revealed that the car was under the limit but BAR then provided the necessary data and arguments to prove that the car did not break the rules. The stewards listened to these arguments and obviously accepted them.

But now the FIA wants to change that decision and the international court of appeal has been called to meet in Paris on May 4.

BAR Honda has expressed surprise at the decision but says it will cooperate.

"BAR Honda will provide the same rigorous data presented to the stewards last night 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 team boss Nick Fry.

An analysis of what all this means will follow.