BAR accept they broke F1 rules

BAR have attempted to draw a line under their two-race ban by accepting they did break Formula One rules.

The Honda-powered team issued a robust defence after being found guilty of failing to meet minimum weight requirements in the San Marino Grand Prix, an offence which saw them disqualified and banned for a further two races.

A planned appeal to a civil court failed due to a lack of time but chief executive Nick Fry continued to argue the team’s case that they were unfairly treated.

However, in the wake of the FIA’s threat to further punish the team if they are found to have brought the sport into disrepute by arguing against their ban, BAR have issued a conciliatory statement.

In it they accept the FIA’s interpretation that a car must weigh at least 600 kilogrammes without any fuel on board, a point they originally contested as it was not specifically stated in the regulations.

BAR have asked other teams’ views on the matter and their statement added: “Before making these enquiries it was the team’s honest belief that fuel which could not be used during the race did not have to be removed before the car was weighed.

“On this basis BAR-Honda accept the decision of the FIA Court of Appeal as fair in the circumstances and recognise that the judges in this, as in other cases, are fully independent, being lawyers and professional judges of high standing who give their service on a voluntary basis.

“BAR Honda want nothing more than to compete with other teams in the Formula One World Championship on an entirely fair and equal basis and look forward to rejoining the competition at the European Grand Prix.”