By Phil Huff
May 12 2005

In a move sure to panic the management at both BAR and Honda, the FIA have announced that the team are under further investigation following comments that could well have brought the sport into disrepute. By repeatedly stating that the International Appeal Court have made the wrong decision, and going so far as to question the independence of the FIA's Appeal Court, the team may have gone too far.

Added to the pressure was the statement released by Honda and four other engine companies this morning, where the companies stated that one of their objectives is to "have a definitive interpretation of the applicable regulations through an independent, readily accessible and swift appeals process, administered by an internationally recognised body, in accordance with the practice of other major sports."

The FIA have long argued that their court is independent, with Max Mosley stating on Friday that, following a previous court case, there was a "whole section in the Court's judgement which came out the other day on the impartiality of our court, absolutely refuting that and finding as a fact that it is impartial. So, that is the highest court in France."

In it's current press release, the FIA again set out their reasoning for protesting the BAR Honda's in Imola, robustly stating that "no manufacturer, however large, will be allowed a concealed or unfair advantage. Those unable or unwilling to accept this have no place in Formula One.

"Statements attributed to the management of BAR Honda are currently under investigation in the light of the team's obligation to do nothing 'prejudicial to the image and dignity of Formula One racing' or 'prejudicial to the interests of any competition or to the interests of motor sport generally'."