They are the three directors of the GPDA, so that's why them, but it's very weird if they apparently found out before it happened and said nothing until Monaco.
The tribunal have their suspicions that the letter cannot be accepted as official evidence as it's not a legal document......... please log in to view this image
They are the three directors of the GPDA, so that's why them, but it's very weird if they apparently found out before it happened and said nothing until Monaco.
The tribunal have their suspicions that the letter cannot be accepted as official evidence as it's not a legal document......... please log in to view this image
The tribunal have their suspicions that the letter cannot be accepted as official evidence as it's not a legal document......... please log in to view this image
Hmm⦠interesting developments. Lots of mud; almost inevitable when the proper lines of communication are not followed. Charlie Whiting's apparent involvement would not seem to add to the integrity of the FIA's own, internal communications. I immediately suspected when the story broke, that this might to provide ground for convenient (if ultimately flimsy) arguments for the proceedings at Barcelona later that week. Anonymous helmets was a very silly thing to do. Pirelli look downright naïve. Horner's poisonous involvement makes him look like a spider hiding in the shadows. And Vettel's words seem to directly contradict what he'd previously claimed about learning of the test in the first place! On top of all this, I think Mercedes have raised an interesting point about the weakness of the definition "â¦using cars which conform substantially with the current Formula 1 technical regulationsâ¦" in an attempt (perhaps even a reasonable one) to fling mud back at the teams which the FIA's favour most (financially)! Very, very mucky. And then we hear of deals being offered (by the FIA) and refused by the main defendant. Hmm⦠Very, very mucky; and not at all good for the image of the sport.
I think you've summed it all up. I think this shows precisely why we need a definitive Concorde Agreement and set of technical regs again; preferably one lasting at least until the end of the decade if not longer. All this politics just drags the sport through the mud. It speaks volumes that the teams who most wanted Pirelli to change the tyres are the ones dragging it through the mud as soon as they've tried to get a team to help with testing it. Pirelli will and should quit F1. We need a tyre supplier with a hell of a lot more clout, definitely one whom the FIA control. Bring back a tyre war? Why not, then we can have complaints about how one of the sets of tyres works unfairly better at certain tracks than others.
Why offer Mercedes a deal? Unless they think they have a weak case against them and don't want to damage their reputation by losing...
This is ridiculous now... BTW... Don't believe Pirelli should walk, but wouldn't blame 'em. This is nothing but a calamity. Yet again the sport looks totally ridiculous in front of the world. So much less politics in other motor sport. May just stick with Indy for my open-wheel fix.
What's the betting the 'letter' that Vettle, Button etc. signed just stated something like 'there should be a test to ensure tyre safety'. With no mention of when, where, or who would be involved? I thought that Charlie has been consulted on aspects of the cars and if they conform to the FIA rules. His advice has been sought at races, at pre season tests and even at the design stages of cars!!! It doesn't really sound like there are many legal arguments being put forward. Like Charlie has previously given permission fox X and Y etc. Pirelli have a contract that does not state the test has to be approved by FIA etc. The commentary I have read seems very school playgroundish... I think that it's all a big mess that the FIA wanted to go away with a quiet deal. My guess is £100 mill fine and Ross falls on sword. Then Ross comes back and helps Williams to regain their former glory
I reckon it's along those lines too. The GPDA backing a test to improve tyre safety, not giving Mercedes permission to run for three days at Barcelona completely unsupervised with their race drivers.
To be honest my view has changed a little. I thought Mercedes had more of a case but it turns out they have a 3 of diamonds and a 9 of clubs. Were they really relying on a letter signed by the GPDA to clear the test? Do the GPDA actually have that power?
Really does seem like Merc are propper screwed... Pretty sure it will be Brawn in the firing line. As for Lauda... I thought he was the gaffer, how can he put all the blame on Brawn? He could have pulled rank anytime. It's utter bullshine. As for Horner... what a **** stirrer. The lot of em are a bunch of clowns.
