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."
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