BAR-Honda banned for two races
 

I've read several reports about this controversy, and I'm as confused as when I started. First the FIA said that Button's car was underweight....then it was OK...but BAR-Honda was not "open" about the whole thing....the car had tanks inside tanks....but the FIA admits the rules about it are vague... so they take away all the points and ban them for two races....and the FIA really wanted to throw them out for the rest of the year?

Talk about "politics"..... :(

Don

not happy here... :mad: :(

Was Honda beating Ferrari also this year? We all know F1 is fixed. Old Bernie can't stand all the front running red army all over the globe threating not to buy over priced tickets. Renault better watch it's back. I like F1, but it has become almost unwatchable. This year was the first in a while that held promise. I loved the last 2 races I saw. But no red on the podium, and I'm sure there'll be more "spot" inspections to come.

Heads will roll over this. Mr Honda will not be amused.

That, right there, is an insane thing to say. Is there a certain (ridiculous) amount of politics involved? Of course! How can there not be? You've got a grid of cars that cost a few billion dollars a year to field, and they're put there by (mostly) gigantic companies.

But those companies wouldn't spend nearly what they do on R&D if they could spend a portion of that 'fixing' the races.

I have been convinced, however, that this is a political move. The FIA is a pawn in this case. What BAR did is a blatant breach of the rules, but it sounds very much like most of the teams were doing the same thing. 'Somebody' tipped off the FIA, and BAR was the target.

But saying that the whole thing is 'rigged?' Come on. You don't even know whether or not BAR were beating Ferrari and you're just guessing that they were targeted because of it. Guess what? Schumacher walked Button at the last race in San Marino. He caught him, blew right by and left him behind.

If Ferrari were 'running' the show, why would they go after BAR and not the only team to have won a race so far this year - Renault?

UnLucky Strike
 

I certainly wouldn't go as far as saying F1 is "fixed". No race series could afford losing their fan base because of someone exposing some plot to fix races, (Nascar included, all you open-wheel fans!) and believe me, someone would be TALKING in order to rake in the big bucks offered for the story. Officials may look the other way on occasion, but they can't afford an actual "plan" coming to light. Leave that to "Idol".... :)

Having said that, there is something odd here. Why would the FIA want to ban a TEAM for the entire YEAR? I'm only 56, but I can't recall anything remotely close to that kind of punishment for being ACCUSED of being 11 lbs underweight! (accused by not proven according to BBC) Why would the governing body risk totally alienating one of the world's largest automakers (and threaten the very existance of BAR, when sponsers pull out of their agreements with the team) just when most of them (other than Ferrari) are considering a NEW racing series? Someone at BAR must have TOTALLY gotten under the skin of someone in the FIA for that kind of over-reaction. This needs some watching....

Don

Don to Andy....come in please
 

"Heads will roll over this. Mr Honda will not be amused"

Actually it is Mr. Honda rolling over in his grave....rest his soul. :(

Andy, this is in your backyard....what is the British press saying about
all this? :confused:

Don

Follow up
 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/moto...ne/4520621.stm

and

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/moto...ne/4520719.stm

Don

:rolleyes: :rolleyes:


www.itv-f1.com gives a good update

Thanks Andy!
 

I'm still confused about the whole thing, but this feedback area...

http://www.itv-f1.com/Feature.aspx?Type=TalkBack

....shows at least a few folks share my feelings!

Don

Results of the Spanish Inquisition....er....Grand Prix
 

Well, I saw the diagram of the "fuel tank within the fuel tank" and I think I finally understand what all the stink was about. Pretty inventive I'd say!
I just have to recall years ago when Penske and Mercedes drove their "stockblock" through a hole in the Indycar rules....no one threatened to ban The Captain for a year, let alone two races. For BAR, I would certainly see a fine and take away points, but I still think the ban is overkill. But then, I'm not the guardian of the purity of F1 am I?

In the meantime, Kimi shows us what the new McLaren can do when it doesn't break....

...Win!

Don

No surprise here...
 

http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/news/s...=f1&id=2056253

I think I smelled this coming.

Don

OK.....what's next?
 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/moto...ne/4544973.stm


Possible future headlines:

"Ferrari accused of using "special air" in their Bridgestones in desparate attempt to regain last year's dominance."

"New "horn" winglets on the McLaren intended to bring the blessing of Odin; cult ties being investigated."

"David Coultard photos show excessive smilling; denies drug use."

"Ralph to Michael....."Mother loved me best!"

Details at 6...

Don

I shouldn't have used "fixed", but more likely "orchestrated". Everybody blasts NASCAR for "fiddeling" the rules to maintain parity, but it improves the sport. Other than red army boys, who likes watching Ferrari win 11 out of 15? It just seems that F1 has an anversion to seeing Ferrari slidding down the rankings.

What about when the FIA Banned Toyota from the WRC a few years ago??? I remember that.... Forgot what the reason was for though :confused:.... Anyone remember???