Mercedes and Ferrari in 'secret' Pirelli tyre tests

[Greenlantern101]

from sky

 

[Hamberg]

The official verdict:

Decision of the International Tribunal

The Tribunal, after having heard the parties and examined their submissions, decided that:

Mercedes be reprimanded;
Mercedes be suspended from participating in the forthcoming “three day young driver training test”;
Pirelli be reprimanded.
and rejected all other and further conclusions.

From SkySports

 

[Hamberg]

Christian's going to be very pissed off

 

[KekeTheKing]

Sounds about right.

 

[rufus_mcdufus]

Oh! Well I'm quite pleased actually.

 

[cider_and_toast]

Hah, Hah, that wouldn't have anything to do with the possibility that it was Merc this week and maybe Ferrari next ??

Nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no more, say no more.

Keep calm and carry on chaps.

 

[LifeW12]

 

[The Artist.....]

No young driver test for Mercedes as well though....

 

[Hamberg]

Under the circumstances I think they'll take that though

 

[cider_and_toast]

Seems very fair really.

 

[rufus_mcdufus]

Can't help thinking if this had been McLaren circa 2007 the whole team would've received the death penalty.

 

[Dizzi]

I can't see Mercedes being very happy at missing out on the young drivers test.
Just musing...I wonder if the young drivers can appeal on the premis that they are being punished for something they weren't involved in? Or does being merely associated with the team mean they were involved?? They're the biggest losers in this.
Will any team want to risk testing with Pirelli now??!

 

[Road of Bones]

A case of "Common Sense Prevails", for once - a token wrist slap for what was essentially the FIA's fault for not properly specifying what was, and was not, permissible regarding Pirelli's request for tyre-testing.

Perhaps teams will learn not to take Charlie Whiting's word as gospel regarding the rules anymore?

 

[F1ang-o]

Fair result

 

[mjo]

It's clear to me that the tribunal thought that Mercedes broke the rules in good faith - i.e. that there was no malicious intent in their actions, hence the relatively lenient punishment. So, in other words, Mercedes found themselves as victims of the confusion caused by the communications provided by the FIA.

 

[GermanF1]

What a joke, doesn't really stop any other team from having such a test right now...

 

[mjo]

It became a joke when Ferrari had no case to answer, despite the fact that they tested new car parts surely?

 

[rufus_mcdufus]

I'm actually supporting Mercedes this year as Lewis is driving for them (and I've got too exasperated with McLaren now) but I think this is a very lenient punishment. I'm very happy for them but they should consider themselves pretty lucky. How many threats to pull out of F1 were going on behind the scenes I wonder?

 

[Road of Bones]

GermanF1 - yes it does, because any team that tried it now would be effectively crucified by the FIA. This verdict was a tacit admission by the FIA that they hadn't got their own house in order with respect to the testing rules, and a warning to Mercedes (& by extension, all the other teams) that they won't get it wrong next time.

 

[Incubus]

I wonder how long will Pirelli now remain in F1.
I wonder how long before someone at the head of the firm starts muttering "Look guys, first we are told to design tyres that fall to pieces if you look at them for too long and now this.... we are supposed to be PROMOTING our road tyres and this really is NOT good promotion for us..."