By Phil Huff
May 5 2005

BAR Honda escaped lightly from their court drama, at least according to the FIA President Max Mosley who was calling for the team to be thrown out of Formula One for the entire season. "The facts in this case are very clear," he explained to waiting journalists. "The team was asked to pump the fuel out of their car. They left 15 litres in the tank and told us it was empty."

BAR Honda were asked to empty the fuel tank before having the car weighed. After emptying just 160 grams of fuel, the team confirmed "That's it" to the scrutineer. Subsequently a total of 8.92kg of fuel was discovered in the second tank, as well as a further 2.46kg in the bottom of the main tank.

"Under the circumstances, we feel they have been treated rather leniently," added Mosley.

BAR Honda have received a two race ban as well as exclusion from the San Marino Grand Prix, where Jenson Button finished on the podium. The team have also got a six month suspended race ban hanging over them, suspended for one year from the Monaco Grand Prix.