Yes it would have been funny to see what punishment McLaren would have gotten: No more tyres for the rest of the season...........
So is that a Ferrari fan complaining about lenient punishment to another team. Is this intended to be Ironic?
I for one still do not understand why the individual who gave instructions that test data from unknown tyres be emailed to Mercedes or the individual at mercedes who requested the data is not named in the judgement. Two i would love to see a comparrison of the data e-mailed to mercedes and that which ferrari got, if there is any similarity, then mercedes has no case to answer at the same time if "The Stig" tyres ferrari tested were ever used in any race in 2013, then they also got an advantage regardless of the car used.
Not sure what happened to my original post on this yesterday afternoon. Guess this is an instruction to post more! The verdict doesn't surprise me. The position of the FIA here is so weak its authority to do anything but is non existent. The position Pirelli undertook here shouldn't be underestimated. They politely stated they do not recognise the FIA tribunal investigating them. In effect, they're saying, we understand how we've got here and you're following your process, but if you want to really do this, you're going to have to do this properly. Do you really want to be shown up? Further, the fallout and legal battles which would have followed had a substantial fine been ruled would have been immense. I'm certain it would have torn the FIA & F1 apart. I was expecting more of an ace up the Mercedes sleeve, which perhaps still exists but they knew it didn't need to be played. Finally, the FIA recognise their role in this hasn't helped. If you consider the wider context you have the sporting and technical regulations but a history of consultation with Charlie Whiting and others from teams and personnel asking "can we do this?" "is this legal?" etc etc. By virtue of this avenue being open, it exposes the FIA and shows deviations are permissible. Let's not forget, these conversations are also shrouded in secrecy. The panel, to their credit has recognised they've been played, it isn't in the spirit of the sport but the governance of the sport is actually to blame. Best to try and sweep this whole affair under the carpet.
Then, with my conspiracy hat on, this has been a very carefully orchestrated agenda with all entities involved as a way to smash through the bickering and politics to get in season testing publically back on the agenda. I do find it strange (OK not really) these conversations have been taking place on the quiet for months and only following this Barcelona test (I refuse to call it TestGate!) have most teams come out saying we should really revisit this whole in season testing thing...
As for Christian Horner it is worth remembering he is a very young team principle with ambition. I'd have turned up myself if I had the opportunity on the basis you can gain experience of being in that environment and identifying the workings of such tribunals, of which this is the first. Certainty if Horner as team principles wishes to gain a competitive advantage on the track, seeing how this sort of thing works first hand is an opportunity not to be missed. I don't overly buy in to his absolutele position against what Mercedes have done. This is an excellent learning experience which will help him for the future.
Must give credit to the tribunal for not looking at things in black and white when making their final judgement. For me Ross Brawn went to an FIA member to seek clarification regards the running of the 2013 car as it was a Pirelli test and not a competitors (Mercedes) test. Charlie whiting seeks advice from the FIA legal department in Sebastian Bernard who states that this could be seen as a Pirelli test which then would mean the running of the 2013 car would not be an issue as it states in Article 22 'Track testing shall be considered any track running time not part of an Event undertaken by a competitor entered in the Championship, using cars which conform substantially with the current Formula One Technical Regulations in addition to those from the previous or subsequent year.' Note the words competitor and undertaken. So regards the running of the 2013 car it was illegal but there was mitigating circumstances in that Mercedes did seek clarification and was advised wrongly by two members of the governing body, its simple a loophole was found by Ross. As for their exclusion from the young drivers testing program i think that is just as they would have learnt something from the Pirelli test however slight.
Red Bull (and possibly Ferrari) are considering running their own illegal test. I don't think they actually will (there's too much at stake) but I'm pleased they're not letting it go, it was an absolute joke of a ruling.
Intentionally breaking a rule or law after there has been a clear ruling on the matter would bring with it a much harsher punishment. In my view Mercedes either exploited, or were victims of, the FIAs bureaucracy. Some thing the FIA probably do not want raked into the lime light and only investigated to such a level as they were compelled to once a team had made an official complaint to them.
I dont blame them and I dont see how they could impose a penalty any different to the one issued to Merc? They have left themselves wide open and also heard that Pirelli are gong to sue th FIA!
They asked Mercedes to do it. Pirelli's problem is with the FIA over the terms of their agreement regarding who they can ask to test and what cars they can use.
I get the strange feeling that Mercedes have helped out the FIA by suggesting they be punished by missing the young driver test. Its a strange situation but it seems like the FIA are in the most wrong but are to corrupt(?) to admit it and punish those within who are responsible. Pirelli must be leaving the sport soon so suing the FIA makes sense. The FIA has hurt Pirelli's image when potentially they have done exactly as the FIA asked and followed the rules to the letter. I'm annoyed that no one at the FIA has looked to be punished, the fact that Mercedes got away so lightly shows they were far from being totally in the wrong but yet the FIA seems to have escaped, are they now in Mercedes debt
So at what point is a test a test. How many press days do red bull do a season. ( using a current car ) Pirelli tyres, approved fuel. How many miles are achieved during these tests and are the FIA there to make sure new parts are not being tested. Back to the testing saga red bull and Ferrari have both come out and said they received an email about the test. I am not by any means a Mercedes fan but it's seems there being made an example off. Go back a few races Ferrari tested new tyres who's to say they didn't test airflow on new parts. The only people that are guilty is the FIA.
