Honda gets Hungary WTCC results back after appealing exclusions
Part of Honda's appeal of its exclusion from rounds three and four of the World Touring Car Championship has been successful, with its Hungary race results reinstated
The marque was excluded from the Hungarian and Moroccan rounds after the flat floor of its four Honda Civics (including the independent Zengo Motorsport car) were adjudged to be non-compliant with the championship's regulations by stewards at the Nurburgring event at the end of May.
The construction of the floors had been changed between the second round of the season at the Slovakiaring and round three at the Hungaroring.
Honda announced its intention to appeal the decision on the Friday of the Nurburgring round and formally appealed the rulings relating to its three factory cars via the Automobile Club D'Italia last week.
A hearing at the International Court of Appeal was held on Thursday, and found the appeal to be admissible.
The four-man panel ruled that while decisions 1, 3 and 5 - which related to Hungary rulings - were to be set aside, the exclusion of the manufacturer's three cars from the Marrakech rounds was to be upheld.
Rob Huff therefore loses his main race victory in Morocco, having headed a Honda 1-2-3, which is instead awarded to championship leader Jose Maria Lopez.
Honda issued a statement on Friday following the decision of the ICA.
"Yesterday, the FIA international Court of Appeal admitted our appeals regarding the race of Hungary and we welcome this decision.
"However, we are really disappointed with the decision to reject our appeals regarding the legality of the flat floor of the Civic WTCC in Morocco.
"While we accept the decision, we were surprised by the outcome and must stress that, at all times, we acted in good faith and are firmly of the belief that all components on the Honda Civic WTCC fully complied with the FIA WTCC technical regulations as they were written.
"With the loss of the points gained in Morocco, the fight for the title will now be incredibly difficult and for this we feel really sorry for our fans and others supporting the championship; however, this new situation will allow Norbi [Norbert Michelisz], Rob and Tiago [Monteiro] to give their best with no other consideration than to fight for wins everywhere."
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