Pirelli tyre situation - All discussion here

**REDARMYSOJA** · 20th June 2013, 21:30

Mercedes also revealed that Ferrari had another testing opportunity in 2012 with Pirelli, when Felipe Massa was used in its pre-Spanish Grand Prix test and that the team conducted more than 1000 kilometres.

Anyone recall anything about that test?

**stefa** · 20th June 2013, 22:02

I am afraid nothing dramatical will happen...

**REDARMYSOJA** · 20th June 2013, 22:11

Originally Posted by stefa

I am afraid nothing dramatical will happen...

They have to give Mercedes a substantial penalty. A fine would just tell teams how much it would cost them to do a test themselves.

**shamim179** · 20th June 2013, 22:38

Thing is this is the first time the tribunal is having to deal with a case. They are relatively new so nobody really knows how they will approach and judge on this matter. The tribunal will be wary of not looking too soft as this could attract criticism from other parties ans end up questioning this structure and effectiveness at handling situations as such as this.

**killer** · 21st June 2013, 00:31

Originally Posted by Kyss4k

Now Pirelli will try to cover Merc because they can't be punnished by the FIA and everyone will come out of this unharmed.

Starting to look like this is indeed their strategy.

**FrankAlfa** · 21st June 2013, 01:12

Certainly, This is the way for Brawn to leave the team and Lowe to take over. Pirelli must fire Paul Humbrey because he is full of himself and he alone is the problem!!!!!!!!! Just as Brawn controls the actions of the Mercedes team in this matter so to is Humbrey the one controling the actions of Pirelli!!!!

Humbrey is hurting Pirelli in a HUGE WAY and Pirelli must do something to restore its image!!!!!!!!!!!! Fire him immediately and call a top manager from Milan, Italy and start to restore their tarnished reputation!!!!!!!!! This is a terrible situation for both Mercedes and Pirelli. Both situations caused by EXTREMELY POOR MANAMEMENT ACTIONS BY TWO INDIVIDUALS!!!!!!!!

**killer** · 21st June 2013, 02:29

Originally Posted by FrankAlfa

Certainly, This is the way for Brawn to leave the team and Lowe to take over.

Surely Ross could have just left?

**Senna4Ever** · 21st June 2013, 06:23

Originally Posted by REDARMYSOJA

Mercedes also revealed that Ferrari had another testing opportunity in 2012 with Pirelli, when Felipe Massa was used in its pre-Spanish Grand Prix test and that the team conducted more than 1000 kilometres.

Anyone recall anything about that test?

It's getting better and better .... And 2012 also no one really captured that to bring it to the media?
Most of Merc defending strategy is accusing others and play with dirt ...

**killer** · 21st June 2013, 08:02

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/22999260

If hit with heavy sanctions, Pirelli are threatening to sue the FIA and Mercedes will "consider its future in F1".

Unbelievable. I hope the Tribunal throws the book at both of them.

**mirafiori** · 21st June 2013, 08:21

Originally Posted by FrankAlfa

Certainly, This is the way for Brawn to leave the team and Lowe to take over. Pirelli must fire Paul Humbrey because he is full of himself and he alone is the problem!!!!!!!!! Just as Brawn controls the actions of the Mercedes team in this matter so to is Humbrey the one controling the actions of Pirelli!!!!

Humbrey is hurting Pirelli in a HUGE WAY and Pirelli must do something to restore its image!!!!!!!!!!!! Fire him immediately and call a top manager from Milan, Italy and start to restore their tarnished reputation!!!!!!!!! This is a terrible situation for both Mercedes and Pirelli. Both situations caused by EXTREMELY POOR MANAMEMENT ACTIONS BY TWO INDIVIDUALS!!!!!!!!

I'am with you all the way FrankAlfa, Hembery should of been suspended by now, by the bosses of Pirelli, they have allowed themselves to be caught up in this mess, this situation has happened because certain people, are not doing there job properly. Its now clear to see, Hembery wanted to please his friends, Brawn, Whiting, and now they have been caught out. Even at this tribunal, you can clearly see they are trying to protect each other. Lets hope the FIA make the right decision today. My prediction is Mercedes will have team points deducted, as for Whiting he has to go, certainly by the end of the season, Brawn and Hembery will be replaced, again by the end of the season. As for Bernie who knows, he is a very powerful and influential character, he would of known about this private secret test, he maybe old, but he is not stupid. FORZA FERRARI

**wisepie** · 21st June 2013, 08:50

This whole situation is doing nothing but harm to the sport, what's the point of having such tight rules and regulations when they are constantly abused by those in power or who have the biggest financial clout. As in every walk of life, simpler is usually better so why invent all these regulations just to have them circumvented by those who think they're bigger than they are, at the expense of the sport's integrity. The whole lot should be thrown out and start again, preferably with Bridgestone and Michelin back in the fray.

**Kyss4k** · 21st June 2013, 09:15

Originally Posted by killer

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/22999260

If hit with heavy sanctions, Pirelli are threatening to sue the FIA and Mercedes will "consider its future in F1".

Unbelievable. I hope the Tribunal throws the book at both of them.

Pirelli wouldn't win it, what they did can easily by put as damage to the sport. Concerning Mercedes... let them go.

**Hornet** · 21st June 2013, 09:23

Originally Posted by killer

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/22999260

If hit with heavy sanctions, Pirelli are threatening to sue the FIA and Mercedes will "consider its future in F1".

Unbelievable. I hope the Tribunal throws the book at both of them.

Wow. The fact that they successfully kept it a secret until their drivers accidentally let it slip shows that they knew it was illegal and went to great length to cover it up.

Now they are throwing a tantrum after being caught with their pants down.

**giodap** · 21st June 2013, 09:23

Originally Posted by killer

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/22999260

If hit with heavy sanctions, Pirelli are threatening to sue the FIA and Mercedes will "consider its future in F1".

Unbelievable. I hope the Tribunal throws the book at both of them.

How can pirelli suffer heavy sanctions when they are not governed by the FIA? smart move by pirelli to take the wrap for the test.

**giodap** · 21st June 2013, 09:25

Originally Posted by Hornet

Wow. The fact that they successfully kept it a secret until their drivers accidentally let it slip shows that they knew it was illegal and went to great length to cover it up.

Now they are throwing a tantrum after being caught with their pants down.

You've summed it up beautifully

**F2008** · 21st June 2013, 09:38

I don't understand why Pirelli is dragged into this. For me, the bottom line is that Mercedes performed a test with their 2013 car and therefore broke the rules. It doesn't really matter on which tyres they were or who supplied them. If I ever receive a traffic fine, does that mean my tyre manufacturer has to pay for it??

**Rishu** · 21st June 2013, 09:47

Mercedes has admitted that it regrets how the Pirelli tyre test was made to look more secret that it was - especially through its drivers wearing black helmets.

During a lengthy testimony in front of the FIA International Tribunal in Paris on Thursday, Mercedes conceded that there were elements of the test that it wished had been done differently.

In particular, it says the way that Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg wore unmarked plain black helmets to avoid security issues with fans was a mistake and propagated the view of a conspiracy of silence.

Mercedes lawyer Paul Harris QC said: "We can see now, with the benefit of hindsight, how other teams could become suspicious

"We regret now the decision of our drivers to wear black helmets... we regret it and we apologise.

"We had our reasons - it was about the lack of bodyguard and security personnel. We do acknowledge that this part of the test aroused suspicions and it is regrettable."

While much has been made about whether or not other teams were either invited to or informed about the test by Pirelli, Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn said his outfit never thought it was its duty to get involved in that matter.

"It was a Pirelli tyre test and it was their authority to do what they wanted in that respect," said Brawn.

When asked if Mercedes had queried with Pirelli about whether or not other teams had been invited, Brawn said: "We did yes. In one of [Andy] Shovlin's statements, he asked if any other teams would be attending the test."

Mercedes is adamant that its running of the 2013 car was not a breach of the regulations because the test was 'undertaken' by Pirelli.

It further believes that a clause in Pirelli's contract with the FIA that allows for private 1000km tests with teams sits outside the sporting regulations.

Trying their best to look innocent

**Hermann** · 21st June 2013, 09:52

Mercedes lawyer Paul Harris QC said: "We can see now, with the benefit of hindsight, how other teams could become suspicious

of course, Hamilton tweeting at the same time about visiting Disneyland had absolutely nothing to do with the whole testing saga

**Alessandra** · 21st June 2013, 10:59

Originally Posted by Hermann

of course, Hamilton tweeting at the same time about visiting Disneyland had absolutely nothing to do with the whole testing saga

There are times when F1 could be mistaken for Disneyland!

**Hermann** · 21st June 2013, 11:11

First rumors from twitter saying Mercedes will get away with it. Stay tuned.

**ProGratis** · 21st June 2013, 11:37

Originally Posted by Hermann

First rumors from twitter saying Mercedes will get away with it. Stay tuned.

That would be a shame. I hope they get a substantial penalty. They did break the rules after all.

**Ferrari_Fanatic** · 21st June 2013, 12:10

Craig Slater: "We are expecting a verdict any minute now...it may have already been delivered to all the interested parties..."

**Sianellen** · 21st June 2013, 12:46

Jon Noble ‏@NobleF1 4m
Mercedes banned from Young Driver Test and reprimanded over Pirelli test controversy. Pirelli reprimanded.

**Hermann** · 21st June 2013, 12:48

Originally Posted by Sianellen

Jon Noble ‏@NobleF1 4m
Mercedes banned from Young Driver Test and reprimanded over Pirelli test controversy. Pirelli reprimanded.

**medeni73** · 21st June 2013, 12:48

They got away. Both Mercs andPirelli remprimanded. Merc banned from YDT...

**radosav** · 21st June 2013, 12:50

Why Ferrari doesn't push rules to the limit and over limit when punishment is so light!

**medeni73** · 21st June 2013, 12:52

I guess we should sign out from YDT too and immediately organise 3 day-test with current car... :)

**F2008** · 21st June 2013, 12:53

Originally Posted by Hermann

Merc lawyer suggested if there had to be a penalty, it should be a fine and maybe an exclusion from the young drivers test. Ok, so its not going to be one of those.

Good lawyer.