Mercedes and Ferrari in 'secret' Pirelli tyre tests

[Galahad]

Mercedes must be kicking themselves for outbidding the Tribunal on a punishment. They could surely have got away with a measly fine on this one.

Unless they can get Pirelli to run their cars at the Young Drivers test - that would be OK, right Charlie? The fella in the black unbranded helmet? Yes, that's Sam Bird. No, really, it is.

 

[Fenderman]

I wouldn't mind but Horse Whisperer is wrong. With the rules having been relatively stable from 2011 with the only substantive tweaks having been with regard to the EBD, cars now need to be over two and a half years old since we are now 6 months into the year (already??!!) . Apart from the YDT and the dispensation to Pirelli, in season full track testing is banned regardless. Lighter restrictions apply to straight line testing, wind tunnel testing and there are limitations on simulator use as well.

Testing on a circuit prior to a GP being held on the same circuit is also subject to an absolute ban so HW should be careful about keeping this stuff up. A journo might take it upon him/herself to dig a bit deeper and re-open that particular can of worms. Now that Mercedes have been found guilty then, in the interests of fairness Ferrari's test ought to be re-examined. In the interests of the sport and the fans the outcome should actually be accepted so that everyone can move on.

 

[Galahad]

The article in the sporting regs begins by defining testing as meaning a car from the current season or the preceding one. So all the subsequent clauses are subservient to this requirement and thus Ferrari can test a car from 2011 whenever or wherever they like - as they could a car from 1961.

We can debate whether this particular law is an ass, but the law is still the law.

 

[Jen]

Whereas I am in awe of your hope Fenderman, I think the 'sport' has long since disregarded the rules. It is now a free for all and the guy that gets caught carries the very small can.

It is politics (in it's loosest terms), money and 'benefit' to a very small but agile community.

The only option for an F1 fan is to concentrate on the racing - irrespective of the strictures - or give up all together.

 

[Fenderman]

Edit: Note to self: Re-read appropriate reg's before kneejerking

 

[Mephistopheles]

Fenderman Ferrari's test was re-examined by the FIA, that's is why the FIA asked for all documentation and correspondences from Ferrari concerning the test and it was found that all the "t"s had been crossed and all the "i"s had been dotted unlike Mercedes which seems to have been based on a phone call from Ross to Charlie....

And as for Ferrari testing new parts on an old car (Not that you said it fenders but others have.) all that is, is conjecture put forward by Ross there is no evidence that Ferrari did any such thing yet on the basis that such a thing was said out loud some people believe it to be factual....

 

[Brogan]

Ferrari haven't disputed it.

As much as I think Mercedes have gotten off very lightly, I don't believe they would have made such a claim without reason.

 

[Mephistopheles]

Maybe they just don't feel the need to and Ross was just trying to use diversionary tactics, I've been called many things in my time most of them not true but I just can't be arsed to argue the toss..

Edit

I'm not saying that Ferrari didn't sneak a few test parts onto the car but there is just no way of proving it IF they did..

 

[Fenderman]

In light of significant errors in my most recent post, may I submit a preemptive statement of mitigation to the CTA Independent Tribunal?

Fender's wishes it to be known that he shall enter a plea of guilty but wishes the following to be taken as mitigating cicumstances and/or force majeure:

1. He is old
2. He's going senile
3. He has been staying up all night for over two weeks reading anything and everything to do with a recent F1 scandal
4. In addition to reading anything and everything to do with a recent F1 scandal he has been writing ludicrously long and detailed posts for the benefit of all readers of Clip The Apex and its casual fans
5. Excessive online time has caused serious degradation of his mental faculties and optical acuity, damage to nerve endings in fingertips and the onset of RSI.
6. He did what he did in the interests of the sport as a whole.

I trust that with all of these factors taken into account my punishment will be something like a reprimand and suspension of my "like button" privileges for about five minutes.

 

[Jen]

Well, what can I say, old chap?

 

[Fenderman]

Um, submit a character reference on my behalf?

Edit: just don't sign it "Christian Horner"

 

[Josh]

Am I the only one who thinks everyone involved has come out looking like massive idiots? I'm glad we can all move on from this farce without having any heads rolling (so far).

 

[Fenderman]

After all that my head is rolling and I really wish it would stop!

 

[mjo]

Yep. Especially the FIA.

(In reply to Josh)

 

[teabagyokel]

Josh - Sam Michael hasn't. It's just about the only time in months he's not looked an idiot at any given point.

 

[Josh]

mjo - But they couldn't look like bigger idiots even if they tried

teabagyokel - Sam Michael wasn't involved though

 

[mjo]

 

[teabagyokel]

Josh - I wondered how he'd managed it.

 

[Fenderman]

I, myself was doing fine until my testing reg' gaff . It only takes one slip to join the berk club ... oh well ...

 

[snowy]

Next time I'm up before the beak I'm going to make sure I prescribe a sentence just in case I get found guilty.
Deportation to Barbados fits my crimes very nicely.