BAR's Ban Gets Mixed Reactions
BAR-Honda's exclusion from three races by the FIA's Court of Appeal was received with mixed reactions in the Formula One paddock, with some believing the team got off lightly, while others feeling the verdict may have been too harsh
Mike Gascoyne, Toyota's Technical Director, was among those who felt the team may have gotten a light punishment.
"If what came out of the Court of Appeal is the reality, then the sentence is too lenient," Gascoyne said. "If they had doubts, why didn't they ask for clarification?"
Ferrari's Chief Designer Rory Byrne, on the other hand, thought the verdict may have been too harsh. "I don't know the full details, but I find the disqualification correct. Perhaps the [two] Grand Prix ban is a bit harsh," the South African told Gazzetta dello Sport.
Renault driver Giancarlo Fisichella felt, on the other hand, that the penalty was justified. "There's nothing you can do about it: there are some regulations, and if they established that BAR found a way to break them, then it's an unsporting behaviour which has to be punished," the Italian said.
"If your car is underweight, you get disqualified for one race, let alone if there are some strange devices in the fuel tank."
Gian Carlo Minardi, former owner of the Minardi team, added: "If they deemed that there was a sporting fraud, then the verdict, even if harsh, is to be considered correct. I remember that Toyota was punished extremely heavy too in rallying. Obviously to be out of Barcelona and Monte Carlo is a terrible loss."
Finally, Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello, who refused to comment on BAR's case, offered a thought for the sport in general. "What I feel sorry about is that we'll see once more even less cars on the grid," the Brazilian said.
"It's a real shame for the sport."
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Author | Michele Lostia |
What Mercedes must do to keep its F1 title challenge on track
Mercedes may find itself leading the drivers' and constructors' standings after Lewis Hamilton's victory in the Bahrain Grand Prix, but it is well-aware that it came against the odds, with Red Bull clearly ahead on pace. Here's what the Brackley team must do to avoid its crown slipping
Why Tsunoda can become Japan’s greatest F1 talent
While Japan's fever for motor racing is well-documented, the country has yet to produce a Formula 1 superstar – but that could be about to change, says BEN EDWARDS
Why the demise of F1's hypocritical spending habit is cause for celebration
For too long, F1's richest teams have justified being able to spend as much as they want because that's the way they've always conducted their business. STUART CODLING says that's no reason not to kick a bad habit
The double whammy that is defining Vettel’s F1 fate
It's been a tough start to Sebastian Vettel's Aston Martin F1 career, with a lack of pre-season testing mileage followed by an incident-packed Bahrain GP. But two key underlying factors mean a turnaround is not guaranteed
The diva that stole a march on F1’s wide-bodied opposition
In 2017 new F1 technical regulations were supposed to add drama - and peg Mercedes back. STUART CODLING looks at the car which, while troubled, set the stage for the wide-bodied Formula 1 era
The themes to watch in F1’s Imola return
Three weeks is a long time in Formula 1, but in the reshaped start to the 2021 season the teams head to Imola to pick things up after the frenetic Bahrain opener. Here's what to look out for and the developments to follow at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
The 'new' F1 drivers who need to improve at Imola
After a pandemic-hit winter of seat-swapping, F1 kicked off its season with several new faces in town, other drivers adapting to new environments, and one making a much-anticipated comeback. BEN ANDERSON looks at who made the most of their opportunity and who needs to try harder…
The delay that quashed Aston Martin’s last F1 venture
Aston Martin’s only previous foray into Formula 1 in the late 1950s was a short-lived and unsuccessful affair. But it could have been so different, says NIGEL ROEBUCK
