Pirelli tyre situation - All discussion here

[Alonso14]

Mercedes is testing again. Sam Bird is doing tests at Silverstone.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v...type=2&theater

"There's nothing wrong with this test, we are not testing the tyres. Just some new development parts"

[WS6TransAm01]

how the hell is this allowed?

Mercedes is testing again. Sam Bird is doing tests at Silverstone.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v...type=2&theater

[mirafiori]

how the hell is this allowed?

Maybe its not the current 2013 car??

[Greig]

Red Bull were at Silverstone yesterday, Ferrari run "filming" days as well.

[Nero Horse]

Mercedes is testing again. Sam Bird is doing tests at Silverstone.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v...type=2&theater

So what else is new?!
It seems that Merc was the only team who got the memo from FIA saying that testing is allowed again. All the other team's memos must've been lost in the mail I guess. But seriously, if this test was conducted by also using 2013 car then they definitely deserve to be disqualified and banned...enough is enough!

[fadyferrari]

Red Bull were at Silverstone yesterday, Ferrari run "filming" days as well.

how many filming days r allowed in a given season anyway?

[Greig]

So what else is new?!
It seems that Merc was the only team who got the memo from FIA saying that testing is allowed again. All the other team's memos must've been lost in the mail I guess. But seriously, if this test was conducted by also using 2013 car then they definitely deserve to be disqualified and banned...enough is enough!

It would be a media day, 2013 car with rock hard demonstration tyres, all teams are invited to send an observer to these tests and most teams do them, yes Ferrari included.

[Nero Horse]

It would be a media day, 2013 car with rock hard demonstration tyres, all teams are invited to send an observer to these tests and most teams do them, yes Ferrari included.

Oh okay that explains it then, I was just thinking that Mercedes couldn't be THAT stupid to go testing again.

[Greig]

how many filming days r allowed in a given season anyway?

Not too sure if there is any limit as such, but I remember them changing the rules in 2010 after Ferrari tested a new diffuser at one of these "media" days, think you are not allowed to run any parts that have not already been used in a race, and other teams are allowed to send someone to watch and make sure they don't test anything new. Caterham tested a new vanity panel on the nose recently in one of these tests which was not used in a race I am sure but as it's Caterham then nobody seemed to really care too much

[DIEK]

Adam Cooper ‏@adamcooperf1

Shock as Mercedes is been spied running at Silverstone today! It was Petronas FR3.5 driver Jazeman Jaafar, 100kms on demo tyres...

[Grillo]

With such a tight championship an extra 1000 km in-season test can make the difference. But besides that, breaking the rules and getting away with it has never been an option in any serious sport. I said it was a DefCon 1 situation and it was. It still is.

[vcs316]

Ferrari Downplays Its Own Pirelli Test

Ferrari conducted a test for Pirelli at Barcelona between the Bahrain and Spanish GPs...

Ferrari has downplayed the relevance of a tire test it conducted on Pirelli’s behalf at Barcelona between the Bahrain and Spanish GPs.

Ferrari has justified its involvement in the tire test in the same way as Mercedes has, in that it was simply responding to a request made by Pirelli by letter in March last year.

Pirelli’s Paul Hembery told SPEED.com in Monaco, “some replied, some didn’t.”

The key point is that Ferrari only ran a 2011 car on behalf of Pirelli, in stark contrast to the later Mercedes test at the same venue with a 2013 machine. Thus there is no question of Ferrari having contravened the FIA sporting regulations by running a current car.

The car was conducted at Barcelona not by the race team but by the Corse Clienti division, which runs F1 cars owned by wealthy customers, as well as street demonstrations and any other running involving non-current cars such as young driver tests.

In Monaco, Stefano Domenicali made it clear that Ferrari’s protest against Mercedes was focused solely its use of the W04 — on the basis that the Italian team would be happy to test with its own F138, if that is ultimately deemed legal.

“For a bit more of a year there has been a possibility of performing these so-called 1,000 kms tests that Pirelli does for its own tire development,” a team spokesman told SPEED.com. “For Ferrari it has always been very clear that these tests could not make use of a 2013 car. In terms of running an old car, the matter is quite irrelevant, because it is totally within the rules.

“This is something that we have never denied; this was very transparent. All the teams have this possibility. The tires, the specification of the test, is something that Pirelli knows; not us.”

While Ferrari clearly has not broken any FIA rules, rival teams were not aware of the test at the time, and have been somewhat surprised as details have gradually emerged.

Thus the issue is more one of a lack of transparency from Pirelli, and as with the Mercedes test, its contractual commitment to the FIA to ensure sporting equity.

Until the Ferrari test, Pirelli had conducted its development with a 2010 Renault run by the Lotus show car team, but with other teams kept fully in the loop about what was going on. They were given clear guarantees that Lotus would not gain any advantage, and sent reports of the test results. This was not the case with either the Ferrari or Mercedes tests.

http://formula-one.speedtv.com/artic...pirelli-test/?

[wacc]

Mercedes is testing again. Sam Bird is doing tests at Silverstone.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v...type=2&theater

That is not their current car. Maybe W02, but the exhausts are under the upper rear suspension arm and there is second inlet on engine cover just like on W03. Maybe testing for 2014.

[Dino]

[SIZE=3]And now this !![/SIZE

C’era anche Schumi al test Pirelli-Mercedes?


Formula1
30 maggio 2013

Avevo promesso una storiella sul test segreto Mercedes-Pirelli.

Dunque, eccomi qua.

La Gomma del Ponte, due.

A stupirmi non è stato il test in sè. Conosco abbastanza l'ambiente della F1. So di cosa sia capace Ross Brawn. So che Charlie Whiting, il responsabile tecnico della federazione internazionale, è da sempre molto legato a Bernie Ecclestone. Il quale Ecclestone ha un rapporto stretto con Paul Hembery, l'ottimo Oliver Hardy della Pirelli. Aggiungo che non è un mistero l'interesse del padre di Tamara per il futuro Daimler Benz in F1: è stato appunto il papà di Tamara a 'pilotare' l'ingresso di Wolff e Lauda nella scuderia, una operazione propedeutica ad una possibile cessione del team ad investitoti privati, sulla falsariga di quanto accaduto alla ex Renault oggi Lotus.

Ergo, nessuno stupore. E' stata una manovra sottobanco, con obiettivi ben precisi, funzionale ad un disegno complessivo. Jean Todt è stato messo in mezzo e infatti sta decisamente sull'incazzato, anche perchè da Maranello il suo ex datore di lavoro, alias LCDM, gli ha fatto una telefonata non proprio...affettuosa.

Ma il vero aspetto intrigante della maleodorante faccenda, in my opinion, è un altro.

Mi spiego.

Viviamo, anche grazie a voi Cloggari, in un mondo nel quale, tra social network e tweet e canali satellitari e bla bla bla, basta che Obama faccia uno sbadiglio e tempo due minuti lo sa anche il porco ubicato in una ghiandaia dell'Uzbekistan. E questi, intendo Mercedes, fanno un test con Rosberg e Hamilton in pista e per giorni e giorni nessuno sa nada?

E' affascinante, sul serio.

Allora, ecco come sarebbero andate le cose, secondo fonti non citabili.

1) La domenica sera del Gp di Spagna il team Mercedes si comporta come tutti i team. Riempie le bisarche di ogni materiale e ti saluto e sono, cioè i camion ripartono per la naturale destinazione, in questo caso Brackley, in Inghilterra.

2) Così fugati i sospetti, le bisarche Mercedes cambiano strada e si sistemano sulla Costa Brava, a un'ora di strada dal Montemelo.

3) Lì, come turisti qualunque, soggiornano i meccanici e gli ingeneri, perchè far arrivare la squadra prove dalla Gran Bretagna avrebbe implicato rischi eccessivi (di essere scoperti).

4) C'è però il problema del circuito. Le leggi, anche spagnole, impongono che per qualunque esibizione in pista siano presenti non solo gli addetti al tracciato, ma anche una autoambulanza ed un elicottero per soccorsi di emergenza.

5) Da Stoccarda fanno ai gestori dell'impianto del Montmelo una offerta che non si può rifiutare. Triplo canone per l'affitto del circuito, ma tutto il personale viene simpaticamente mandato in vacanza (pagata pure quella). Alle misure di sicurezza provvede direttamente Mercedes, con suoi addetti sanitari eccetera.

6) Blindata la struttura, arriva una bisarca completamente bianca, senza insegne di alcun genere, sulla quale viene caricata la vettura 2013. Solo a quel punto la bisarca 'ufficiale' torna a casa.

7) Hamilton e Rosberg vengono convocati via mail, con la preghiera di non portare la tuta di lavoro, men che meno i caschi personali. Guideranno con livree assolutamente anonime, così se per caso qualcuno passando da Montmelo sentisse il rumore di una F1 penserebbe, che ne so, ad uno spot pubblicitario.

8) Secondo alcune indiscrezioni, alla curiosa esibizione avrebbe presenziato anche...Michael Schumacher, cortesemente invitato da Ross Brawn. Se sia andato in pista o meno, non è dato sapere.

9) La Pirelli si è adeguata al codice di segretezza che ha circondato l'intera operazione.

10) L'asino è cascato a Montecarlo, quando qualcuno si è chiesto sulla base di quali elementi sia Rosberg ed Hamilton dichiarassero, ad ogni piè sospinto, di essere fiduciosissimi per il Gp, avendo, a loro dire, Mercedes risolto i guai di sospensioni che comportavano la spaventosa usura pneumatica riscontrata fino a Barcellona.

11) C'è stato chi ha fatto due più due e così la domenica mattina di Monaco, per evitare di essere smascherati, Mercedes più Pirelli più Whiting hanno confezionato la versione, già predisposta e in sè non contestabile, dello scambio di lettere tra fornitore gomme, team e Fia a proposito del test.

12) In Red Bull e in Ferrari hanno avuto una crisi isterica e hanno chiesto a Todt cosa ne sapesse.

13) Todt conosceva solo metà, o quasi, della faccenda e ha capito di essere finito in un mare di materia di colore simile alla cioccolata.

Quanto agli sviluppi 'legali', vedremo...

GOOGLE TRANSLATE;

There was also Schumacher to test Pirelli-Mercedes?


Formula1
May 30, 2013

I promised you a story about the secret test Mercedes-Pirelli.

So, here I am.

The Rubber Bridge, both.

A surprise me was not the test itself. Know enough about the environment of F1. I know what he's capable Ross Brawn. I know that Charlie Whiting, the technical manager of the International Federation, has always been very close to Bernie Ecclestone. Which Ecclestone has a close relationship with Paul Hembery, Pirelli's the great Oliver Hardy. I should add that it is not a mystery father's interest in the future of Tamara Daimler Benz F1: it was precisely the father of Tamara to 'drive' the entry of Wolff and Lauda in the stable, an operation preparatory to a possible sale of the team to investitoti private, along the lines of what happened to the former Lotus Renault today.

Ergo, no wonder. It 'been a backroom maneuvering, with clear objectives, a functional overall design. Jean Todt has been put in the middle and it is definitely sull'incazzato, partly because from Maranello his former employer, aka LCDM, made him not just a phone ... affectionate.

But the real intriguing aspect of the smelly thing, in my opinion, is another.

Let me explain.

We live, thanks to you Cloggari, in a world in which, among social networks and tweets and satellite channels, and blah blah blah, just that Obama face a yawn and time two minutes knows the swine housed in a jay Uzbekistan. And these, I mean Mercedes, make a test with Rosberg and Hamilton on the track and for days no one knows nada?

It 's fascinating, really.

So, here's how things would turn out, according to sources not quotable.

1) On the Sunday evening of the Spanish GP Mercedes team behaves like all teams. Fills transporters of each material and I salute you and I, that is, the trucks are returning to the natural destination, in this case Brackley, England.

2) So allayed suspicions, transporters Mercedes changing road and settle down on the Costa Brava, an hour's drive from Montemelo.

3) There, as any tourists, enjoying the mechanics and engineers, because to get the test team from Britain would entail excessive risk (of being caught).

4) There is however the problem of the circuit. The laws, including Spanish, require that for any performance on the track are present not only the employees to the circuit, but also an ambulance and a helicopter for emergency relief.

5) From Stuttgart plant operators of Montmelo make an offer you can not refuse. Triple fee for the rental of the circuit, but the staff is affectionately sent on vacation (paid even that). Security measures shall directly Mercedes, with its health workers and so forth.

6) Armored structure, a car transporter comes completely white, no sign of any kind, on which the vehicle is being loaded 2013. Only at that point the car transporter 'official' back home.

7) Hamilton and Rosberg are summoned by mail, with the request not to bring the suit to work, least of all the helmets personal. Guide with liveries absolutely anonymous, so if someone going from Montmelo hear the sound of a F1 would think, I know, for a commercial.

8) According to rumors, the curious exhibition was also attended ... Michael Schumacher, kindly invited by Ross Brawn. If both went to the track or not, we do not know.

9) The Pirelli has complied with the code of secrecy that has surrounded the entire operation.

10) The donkey fell in Monte Carlo, when someone is asked on what grounds both Rosberg and Hamilton declare, at every turn, to be fiduciosissimi for Gp, having, according to them, Mercedes solved the trouble of suspension which involved the frightening wear pneumatic found to Barcelona.

11) There were people who put two and two, and so on Sunday morning in Monaco, to avoid being unmasked, Mercedes more Pirelli most Whiting have packed version, already prepared and in itself can not be appealed, the exchange of letters between supplier tires, teams and the FIA ​​about the test.

12) Red Bull and Ferrari have had hysterics and asked what he knew Todt.

13) Todt knew only half, or nearly so, and the matter was understood to be finished in a sea of ​​colored matter, similar to chocolate.

As for the developments 'legal', we'll see .

http://blog.quotidiano.net/turrini/2...elli-mercedes/

[ManFromMilan]

It sounds more and more that they knew how illegal this testing was that they carried out and tried at great lengths to keep it under wraps.

[tifosi1993]

We didn’t favour any teams, says Pirelli

[mirafiori]

WOW, if this is true, then the plot really thickens. I can see by the end of the season, some major players in formula one will be gone. Heads will roll.

[Kiwi Nick]

This test was no spur-of-the-moment undertaking. Pirelli has to produce a great number of tires. Had to transport them to the track. Merc were not sitting at some truck stop when they got a call asking if they'd like to test some tires. Merc's participation was OK'd by the FIA. An unmarked transport was summoned to haul the cars back to the track. Unmarked suits and helmets were provided for the drivers (apparently it was dress like the Stig day). Access to the track was restricted, even to regular employees.

This was a nefarious undertaking which surely had been planned for days, if not weeks in advance. It is pointless for Merc to try to talk their way out of this because it can clearly be demonstrated that this was a premeditated act in violation of the Sporting Regulations.

Pirelli, on the other hand, does not seem to me to have broken any rules. The testing session was surely approved by the FIA, and they were likely assured that the FIA had agreed to the selection of the team and car to be provided for the test. However, Pirelli may be guilty of playing favorites, but not breaking the rules.

[Jas]

Reminds me off the story/film TROY this does, hiding their trucks lretending to go home and then coming back in darkness haha

[Hornet]

It sounds more and more that they knew how illegal this testing was that they carried out and tried at great lengths to keep it under wraps.

Yep. The fact that no one heard anything about it until their drivers accidentally let it slip during the Saturday's driver meeting shows that Pirelli and Mercedes have intentionally keep it a secret.

[ferrari4life]

Yep. The fact that no one heard anything about it until their drivers accidentally let it slip during the Saturday's driver meeting shows that Pirelli and Mercedes have intentionally keep it a secret.

maybe i am wrong but from what I understand the test was done in Spain? In that Alonso crazy nation how the heck did they pull it off?

[impactX]

Which part of not being allowed to change the construction of the tyres in the middle of the season without consent from ALL teams does Pirelli not get?

The formula for Supersoft, Soft, Medium, and Hard compounds were set long ago and why is Pirelli still insisting on producing a new kevlar-lined tyre for experiment in Canada? Seems like they have the attitude of pushing their luck.

[fadyferrari]

It sounds more and more that they knew how illegal this testing was that they carried out and tried at great lengths to keep it under wraps.

well they certainly left out 1 important thing!!!the car livery!!they changed the transporter livery and the drivers' helmets and overalls,but kept the car as it was!

[GamD]

Every articular I read, every rumour I hear are all based on speculation. FIA have seemed very unclear on what it know and what it said. What merc and Pirelli would gain in much smaller than what they would both lose. its some mid season drama.

[ferrari4life]

well what proof exisits? No one can prove what car they used. its their word against the rest. This will just blow over eventually. I am just glad its not Red Bull getting away with it.

[Dino]

well what proof exisits? No one can prove what car they used. its their word against the rest. This will just blow over eventually. I am just glad its not Red Bull getting away with it.

Brawn and Lauda have already said it was the 2013 car
+Rosberg and Hamilton where doing the driving !!

[Hornet]

maybe i am wrong but from what I understand the test was done in Spain? In that Alonso crazy nation how the heck did they pull it off?

Yep. I guess it depends on the place surrounding the track, like is the area there populated on a normal day. They should have heard the sound, but maybe those who did doesn't know it's a F1 car. They get other racing throughout the year so some might just brush it off as just another race event they don't care about.

[Grillo]

maybe i am wrong but from what I understand the test was done in Spain? In that Alonso crazy nation how the heck did they pull it off?

There's a guy that lives very close to the circuit and took some pics.

He's @piusgasso on Twitter. You can ask him.

[REDARMYSOJA]

Well, now Ferrari is in it.

The FIA has asked Team Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 and Scuderia Ferrari Team which have taken part in tyre tests in the 2013 season to reply to a disciplinary inquiry in pursuance of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules.
This follows the Stewards' Report from the Monaco Grand Prix and represents supplementary information required by the FIA in the light of the replies received from Pirelli, who were asked for clarifications on Tuesday May 28th.

http://www.fia.com/news/fia-statement

[FerrariF60]

Well, now Ferrari is in it.






http://www.fia.com/news/fia-statement

...so this is getting better and better now...so we were in this all along?? this can't be right, is it?? have we also tested the "so much talked about tires" with teh 2013 car as well??