Honda excluded from last two World Touring Car rounds over floor

Honda's three factory Civics and Ferenc Ficza's independent Zengo Motorsport car were all investigated initially at the Hungaroring after stewards and FIA technical delegate Manuel Leal decided to look into the compliance of three parts of the flat floor with WTCC regulations on all four machines.

The stewards cleared Honda on the Sunday of the Hungary round, but a second investigation was launched in Morocco three weeks ago.

The post-competition technical reports from the technical delegate were passed onto stewards at this week's Nurburgring Nordschleife round.

The three-person stewards' panel was convened on Thursday, as allowed under article 11.9.2.s of the International Sporting Code, and found after its review of the reports that the 'Flat floor 2015-Front section A' complete' of the cars were not compliant in two ways.

"It is different to the part featuring in the homologation form extension A-5747 210/07 ER, as well as to the parts presented during the homologation inspection, breach of articles 263.003 and 263.004 of the Appendix J," read a stewards' statement.

"Their construction is not in compliance with the definition of composite applicable at the time of the homologation of the extension A5747 201/07 ER (article 251.2.1.11 of the Appendix J) breach of article 263.902 of the Appendix J."

As a result, the decision was taken to exclude all four cars from both the Hungaroring and Marrakech rounds.

That includes Honda's podium sweep, led by Rob Huff, in the second Marrakech race, where Jose Maria Lopez is elevated to victory instead.

Honda has lodged its right to appeal.

A statement from the team read:

"We strongly disagree with the content of the technical report that has led to stewards' decision no.1, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8.

"We are totally convinced that our flat floors are in full compliance with the current FIA World Touring Car Championship technical regulations.

"Appeals will therefore be lodged against all decisions."