Fry 'Very Happy' after Hearing
By Jonathan Noble, from Paris Wednesday, 04 May 2005 12:39
BAR boss Nick Fry has said he is satisfied with how his team defended themselves over the legality of Jenson Button's BAR at the San Marino Grand Prix, but drawn short of declaring himself confident that the court will completely exonerate his team over the matter.
After a two-and-a-half hour FIA Appeal Court hearing at their headquarters in Paris, Fry said that he had no complaints with how the proceedings went - and crucially believed that his legal team had successfully defended themselves against accusations of deliberate cheating.
''Generally I am very happy with the proceedings,'' he said. ''I am very, very proud of what all the team members did. I think they presented themselves absolutely superbly and with huge professionalism and integrity.
''It was never challenged that the car was below the minimum weight limit - that wasn't even raised and I think that is a good point to start with that we were above the 600kg - which of course we have always maintained.
''Even more important than that is the point about deception. I think it was conclusively proved by ourselves that there was no case of deception of bad faith and on top of that it appeared to be accepted by at least one of the FIA officials that that appeared to be the case.
''Overall I think we presented a very strong case and I hope overnight the judges consider that carefully.''
The FIA have asked the appeal court to throw BAR out of this year's World Championship and be fined a minimum of one million Euro over the matter, although the team have strongly denied any suggestions of deliberate cheating.
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