FIA hints that Mercedes test may have violated sporting rules
The FIA have released a letter following a number of hearings today regarding the protest that Red Bull has filed against the Pirelli tyre test that was carried out by Mercedes AMG at Barcelona 2 weeks ago.
The statement from the FIA reads: "Within the contract Pirelli has with the FIA as single supplier, there is provision for them to carry out up to 1000km of testing with any team - provided every team is offered the opportunity to do so," said the statement.
"Pirelli and Mercedes-AMG were advised by the FIA that such a development test could be possible if carried out by Pirelli, as opposed to the team that would provide the car and driver, and that such tests would be conditional upon every team being given the same opportunity to test in order to ensure full sporting equity."
"Following this communication, the FIA received no further information about a possible test from Pirelli of from Mercedes-AMG. Furthermore, the FIA received no confirmation that all teams had been given an opportunity to take part in this test."
"In addition, with regard to the application of the sport's rules, including principles of sporting equity, it should be remembered that the International Sporting Code provides that on the basis of a report of the stewards of the meeting, or on its own initiative, the prosecuting body of the FIA may bring the matter before the International Tribunal."
To Pirelli's defence are their repeated requests for teams to help them out, but the company had repeatedly faced unwillingness from teams, as they themselves are obviously focused on car development, rather than developing a tyre.
In essence, it will now be a matter for Pirelli or Mercedes AMG to prove they were given the green light to test the way they did, as otherwise both parties could face penalties ranging from fines to exclusion from the sport.
