I did not realise it would be this bad, seems like the FIA are pretty pissed off which blows Brawn/Lauda's argument that they ran everything by them. This I feel will have horrible ramifications for the sport either way I do not want to see a tyre war if people thing things now are a lottery go and watch the race at Indy in 2003. Either way Pirelli have been caught with their pants down along with Merc and both will be hit pretty hard by this. Also why did Mercedes not send Davidson for this test? Surely if they knew it might get found out about they would not look so bad if a test driver had been in the car as opposed to their two drivers racking up the mileage.
Welcome to the forum. Blithely, no, but beyond that I don't have an answer to that question; but I'm not sure that the question is correct.
Possibly, but only on the proviso that every other team got one. There's enough races left this season that all teams could be allowed a 1000km test after a suitable race, even if it means a couple testing at the same time. Teams so far seem to almost be going out of their way to disadvantage Pirelli (like not giving them a test car), so this could be a good way to create some harmony between the teams and Pirelli, give teams an earlier look at the future tyres, and start to introduce some mid-season testing back into the sport. Welcome to the forum by the way! Thing is, the only people who care enough about F1 to remember in 15 years time that the Pirelli's fell apart are probably the same people who'll remember that they were supposed to. Anyone less-informed seeing footage of this era of F1 in a decade or so will just see the sponsorship and the exciting races.
Spot-on, Kyle! But 'they' wanted a stooge, which they found in Todt, and now we're all paying the price. At least Max had teeth.
He was on the grid today, and it just reminded me how annoyed I was he didn't get chosen. Current events are only compounding the impression that Todt couldn't organise an orgy in a whorehouse. (Come back Max! )
no, I certainly wouldn't, I'd be spitting feathers if I was a team principle, the only reason people are leaning towards Mercedes is because RBR are doing the complaining.
I took your advice. I really don't think Mercedes/Pirelli will get away with this, it all seems a little underhand and the fact they held Lewis and Nico back for this unimportant testing says it all. It will be interesting to see what both parties come out with over the next few weeks. Guests -1 Members +1
Did Hamilton and Rosberg do the test then?! That in itself is significant if true. Why would Merc send their two top drivers to test for Pirelli if they expected to gain nothing from it? Pirelli have dressed it up to sound as if Mercedes didn't have a clue what was going on and that they were just borrowing their car. The only possible reason would be that the seat didn't fit a test driver but that seems a bit flimsy.
I'm hoping more will come out from this story, I get a feeling we've only seen a tiny bit of the problem. If Mercedes really do have FIA approval then the problems with the FIA and Pirelli. If the FIA are worried about it getting to late to find a new 2014 supplier what will they do with Pirelli? I feel the FIA are in a mess and in the end it'll fall on Bernie's shoulders to make up some gossip and make it blow over...
P.s. welcome f1fan1981 and number27. Good to see my shameless plugging wasn't in vain. Welcome to the mad house
Incredibly flimsy, I can't imagine any team turning up at a race without a provision for a driver being taken ill/injured. You could argue that if they were running both cars then it stopped them picking a driver, but if that was a serious concern then Sam Bird was there for the GP2 program anyway.
Why sanction this test though? I can understand the Ferrari one, as they did use the 2010 car, thus complying with the rules, but allowing Merc to use this years car was a really dumb move. I think either Jean Todt or Paul Hembrey should resign, it's the only way to sort this out fairly, they messed up, and they should face the ax because of it.
I can't imagine the FIA would've agreed to Mercedes testing this year's car. The testing ban is such a fundamental part of the regulations these days, especially with the need to cut costs while the global economy's in a mess. There would had to have been lengthy discussions and unanimous agreement amongst the teams for them to agree to that. They wouldn't have just said "oh go on it will be fine". It's a huge decision to make.
Thats why I think its going to get complicated, I think the FIA have agreed to something with Mercedes without really making clear what they were agreeing to. That or Mercedes actually have no FIA approval
Both good points. Especially about Bird, it would look nowhere near as bad having a young driver in the car than a race driver or experienced test driver.
