Pirelli 2013

[astracrazy]

Why did Mercedes test, what did they EXACTLY gain? Why was FIA involved? Let's forget about all that. FIA had everything in hand and decided that the mildest slap on the wrist is enough.

No wonder Mercedes declined no-tribunal fine when the could choose themselves a penalty, how convenient. This stinks, everything was staged , there was more in the phone conversations with Whiting they did not want to reveal.

it was independent judges that made the decision. if the fia had there way, merc would of agreed to a deal which saw them admit they were guilty. they didn't want to because they obviously had a strong case as to why they did the test

[Unc1e_M0nty]

With the FIA giving such a wishy washy responce to the proposed test what else could they do ? they've come out of this worse than anyone.

Pirelli get a stern telling off and get sent to bed early

Merc can't test, they've already devoted most of their resources to next years car anyway so just what would they have brought to test ?

[lebesset]

will pirelli accept a reprimand , they could still play hard ball

[FoxHound]

Tribunal findings....

The track testing, which is the subject of these proceedings, was not carried out by Pirelli and/or Mercedes with the intention that Mercedes should obtain any unfair sporting advantage.”

So no upgrades, Turbo V6's or 2014 front wings.

neither Pirelli nor Mercedes acted in bad faith at any material time” and they “disclosed to FIA at least the essence of what they intended to do in relation to the test and attempted to obtain permission for it.”

Not a "secret" test.

On the subject of Ferrari’s two tests for Pirelli in 2012 and 2013, the Tribunal said it was “unable to express any opinion as to whether or not the testing carried out by Ferrari in 2012 and 2013 was properly authorised.”
“But it would appear to be equally unsatisfactory that this consent was also given by Charlie Whiting, the Tribunal has no evidence before it which indicates that his opinion in that case had in fact been wrong.”

Hmmm interesting....
Either way, what has come to light is what I suspected from the outset. Poor lines of communication from the FIA is the root cause of this.

[Phil]

I wonder what and if Lauda will say now. Will heads roll at Mercedes? It was my understanding that Lauda said publicly he would have prefered to settle out of court with the FiA, but that Brawn and Wolff wanted to take their chances at the tribunal. I also wonder if there was some internal plot inside the Merc board to somehow get rid of Brawn? Just thinking out loud here....

[Unc1e_M0nty]

there was more in the phone conversations with Whiting they did not want to reveal.

From the internal FIA e-mails between Charlie and the legal dept you can cleary see they want the test to go ahead, it's them who are looking for loopholes with it being a "Pirelli" test.

I think they had genuine safety worries about the delaminating tyres

[stefan_]

I don't know how relevant the YDT is this year considering the changes we have next year, so I'm not sure it's really a "punishment" for Mercedes.
The reprimand on Pirelli doesn't have any effect whatsoever, the worst FIA can do to them is not signing any contract.

[turbof1]

Interestingly, Pirelli pasted some data to Mercedes in an email. I find that really a stupid decision to do so.

The YDT is probably significant; teams are free to hold them whenever they want. Mercedes could have tested mid-season, and brought new parts without ever getting into trouble. I think the the punishment is heavier then the advantages they got out of the Pirelli test.

The Tribunal does accept that Mercedes and Pirelli acted out of good faith, by misqualified approval.

[astracrazy]

I wonder what and if Lauda will say now. Will heads roll at Mercedes? It was my understanding that Lauda said publicly he would have prefered to settle out of court with the FiA, but that Brawn and Wolff wanted to take their chances at the tribunal. I also wonder if there was some internal plot inside the Merc board to somehow get rid of Brawn? Just thinking out loud here....

But what was the terms of the offer the fia offered. Merc had to plead guilty to breaking the rules then what? I don't think merc will be disappointed with this result.

Lauda is only a non exec, he actually has no official say he is there to advise. Brawn obviously has toto's backing which is worth more than Lauda

[sAx]

What a farce of a decision. Just a reprimand for clearly breaking the rules....

The FiA have conspired to make it a farce, so the 'punishment (nee reprimand)' is just.

[Trocola]

Interestingly, Pirelli pasted some data to Mercedes in an email. I find that really a stupid decision to do so.

The YDT is probably significant; teams are free to hold them whenever they want. Mercedes could have tested mid-season, and brought new parts without ever getting into trouble. I think the the punishment is heavier then the advantages they got out of the Pirelli test.

They had a great punishment. They won in Monaco, 2 weeks after the test. And get a podium finish on Canada, a tire detroyer circuit.

[astracrazy]

I think the the punishment is heavier then the advantages they got out of the Pirelli test.

The Tribunal does accept that Mercedes and Pirelli acted out of good faith, by misqualified approval.

it depends what 'knowledge' they got from the tyres i guess

[iotar__]

Why did Mercedes test, what did they EXACTLY gain? Why was FIA involved? Let's forget about all that. FIA had everything in hand and decided that the mildest slap on the wrist is enough.

No wonder Mercedes declined no-tribunal fine when the could choose themselves a penalty, how convenient. This stinks, everything was staged , there was more in the phone conversations with Whiting they did not want to reveal.

it was independent judges that made the decision. if the fia had there way, merc would of agreed to a deal which saw them admit they were guilty. they didn't want to because they obviously had a strong case as to why they did the test

Independent tribunal of the FIA in Formula 1 case involving badly highest technical personnel of FIA. You don't get more independent than that.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/108181
Those explanations make no sense, they took part in an illegal test, they gained an advantage but not DELIBERATE?

"Both Pirelli and Mercedes disclosed to FIA at least the essence of what they intended to do in relation to the test and attempted to obtain permission for it; and Mercedes had no reason to believe that approval had not been given."

This sentence is outright bizarre: "They"? Like together? But it was all Pirelli, Mercedes were there for no reason, if you don't count accidentally gaining an advantage. And who convinced them of "approval"? Pirelli I can understand but Mercedes? They didn't bother to check themselves, yep everything is sorted out, no need to check again. Why do WE test? No reason. If we get caught we get to chose a penalty, put on those helmets and let's test boys.

[turbof1]

This would have been the same outcome if things were settled outside court. The ban from the YDT is just and only an attempt to get all teams on the same ground again.

The reprimand Pirelli took, is weak. IMO, they did more wrong then Mercedes. Although claimed by Tribunal to be under the FIA authority, it's obvious they could not risk out handing out any effective punishments. Pirelli would have gone to the French court if so and/or even redrawed from the sport.

@Trocola: Canada and Monaco really did not show they had an advantage. In Canada they were still struggling (which btw isn't normally a tyre killing circuit, not even close). Monaco they won by driving slow without risking the tyres to overheat. We'll see in Silverstone how much progress they have made.

[MOWOG]

With apologies to William Shakespeare: Much Doo Doo About Nothing. This whole thing could have been an episode of Seinfeld, the most popular show about nothing ever!