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Mercedes hits back at FIA over Pirelli tire testing
Source: Agencies |
June 21, 2013, Friday
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MERCEDES accused Formula One's governing body of double standards yesterday at a tribunal that could impose stiff sanctions on its team for allegedly breaking the rules with a "secret" tire test.
The team of 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton - preparing for his home British grand prix next week - and Germany's Nico Rosberg - faces anything from a reprimand to exclusion from the championship if found guilty.
Lawyer Paul Harris, representing Mercedes, suggested the International Automobile Federation had treated his team in a very different way to Ferrari - which faces no action despite both having tested with tire supplier Pirelli this year.
Mercedes is charged with breaking the rules by using its current car at a 1,000-kilometer tire test in Barcelona with Pirelli last month and gaining an unfair advantage from it, an accusation it denies.
Ferrari, which has tested twice previously with Pirelli, including in April just before it won the Spanish Grand Prix at the same circuit, has not been summoned to the tribunal because it used a 2011 car.
"The key differences in treatment are plain," said Harris, criticizing a sporting body run by former Ferrari team boss Jean Todt.
"Ferrari were allowed to rely on a verbal confirmation from Pirelli that authorization had been achieved but apparently we are condemned for this.
"Ferrari's dealings with the FIA were non-specific as regards dates, location, names of drivers. They are not criticized but apparently we are," he added.
The rules ban teams from testing with a current car, or one from the previous year, during the season but Pirelli is entitled to carry out a number of tire tests.
Pirelli argues that it is not a competitor in the championship and is therefore not subject to the same regulations as teams - which the FIA disputes.
The FIA's lawyer Mark Howard had earlier accused Mercedes of breaking the rules and gaining an unfair benefit, a charge made by champion Red Bull which protested with Ferrari when it found out about the test.
He told the four judges and tribunal president Edwin Glasgow in Paris that there was little factual dispute in the case. "There is not much room for doubt that the Mercedes 2013 car was a car covered by the regulations and that the car was subjected to track running time in Barcelona," he said.
The FIA has said a verdict will be issued "as soon as possible" after the hearing.
The team of 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton - preparing for his home British grand prix next week - and Germany's Nico Rosberg - faces anything from a reprimand to exclusion from the championship if found guilty.
Lawyer Paul Harris, representing Mercedes, suggested the International Automobile Federation had treated his team in a very different way to Ferrari - which faces no action despite both having tested with tire supplier Pirelli this year.
Mercedes is charged with breaking the rules by using its current car at a 1,000-kilometer tire test in Barcelona with Pirelli last month and gaining an unfair advantage from it, an accusation it denies.
Ferrari, which has tested twice previously with Pirelli, including in April just before it won the Spanish Grand Prix at the same circuit, has not been summoned to the tribunal because it used a 2011 car.
"The key differences in treatment are plain," said Harris, criticizing a sporting body run by former Ferrari team boss Jean Todt.
"Ferrari were allowed to rely on a verbal confirmation from Pirelli that authorization had been achieved but apparently we are condemned for this.
"Ferrari's dealings with the FIA were non-specific as regards dates, location, names of drivers. They are not criticized but apparently we are," he added.
The rules ban teams from testing with a current car, or one from the previous year, during the season but Pirelli is entitled to carry out a number of tire tests.
Pirelli argues that it is not a competitor in the championship and is therefore not subject to the same regulations as teams - which the FIA disputes.
The FIA's lawyer Mark Howard had earlier accused Mercedes of breaking the rules and gaining an unfair benefit, a charge made by champion Red Bull which protested with Ferrari when it found out about the test.
He told the four judges and tribunal president Edwin Glasgow in Paris that there was little factual dispute in the case. "There is not much room for doubt that the Mercedes 2013 car was a car covered by the regulations and that the car was subjected to track running time in Barcelona," he said.
The FIA has said a verdict will be issued "as soon as possible" after the hearing.
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