bhallg2k wrote:Cocles wrote:[...]
Add to that the strengthened bond Mercedes now has with Pirelli and this whole endeavor could be considered a master stroke only outdone by their obtaining a seat on the FOM board.
This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever read here.
If you disagree that's fine, but there's no reason to be a knob about it.
I don't see it as ridiculous. This is a situation where if Mercedes and been severely penalized they'd have egg on their face, but having only received a slap on the wrist they look like geniuses.
Being the only team willing to risk using a 2013 car could have only strengthened their relationship with Pirelli (and Hembery comes across as a guy who keeps score). It certainly wouldn't have harmed it.
Mercedes also managed to finagle track time for Hamilton to further acclimate him to the car while the season is still young, let alone whatever else they learned.
Obviously this all required some slick political work to pull off with only a slap on the wrist, and they indeed pulled it off.
As for my FOM comment, I was impressed with Merc's political maneuvering when they managed to get Uebber on the board. If you disagree, consider where Merc and Renault F1 were in 2009 and where they are now. Merc has a seat on the board and is pulling off stuff like this mid-season test, whereas Renault F1 aren't even allotted their own pit passes and their works partner has "Infiniti" written all over it.
It has taken some time, but Mercedes is finally bringing it --both on and off track. It's a good time to be a Merc fan.
