BAR face FIA appeal over Imola

BAR will tomorrow be hauled before world governing body the FIA to explain why Jenson Button’s car was found with a secret fuel tank at Imola.

Button finished third in the San Marino Grand Prix but faces disqualification after a post-race check found a hidden fuel compartment inside the main tank.

When that device was drained of fuel, Button’s BAR-Honda was found to be five kilograms below the 600kg minimum weight imposed by the FIA, although race stewards eventually declared the results official after six hours of discussions.

The FIA were unhappy with the stewards’ decision and tomorrow they will appeal it in Paris, with BAR forced to explain why their car could potentially be raced under the weight limit.

A statement from race stewards several hours after the San Marino Grand Prix had finished confirmed that “Jenson Button is able to run below the minimum weight limit”.

But BAR technical director Geoff Willis, who spent much of the evening dashing across the paddock from the stewards office to his headquarters in the BAR pits, convinced them “the matter requires no further action”.

The FIA, whose technical chiefs Charlie Whiting and Jo Bauer examined Button’s car, were not convinced and tomorrow will set out their case against BAR in Paris.

The Brackley-based team insist they have done nothing wrong and will present the FIA with data which they believe proves Button’s car never contravened Formula One rules at Imola.

Chief executive Nick Fry said: “BAR-Honda will provide the same rigorous data presented to the stewards and is confident it can prove once again the car was fully compliant with the FIA technical regulations throughout the San Marino Grand Prix.”

The FIA have the power to strip Button of third place or even ban BAR from Formula One for a time should they find the team guilty of deliberately breaking the rules.

The FIA will announce a verdict on Thursday afternoon.