Mercedes tyre test disagreement referred to the FIA

Mercedes’ apparent breach of the Formula 1 in-season testing rule with a ‘secret’ tyre test during mid-May could be referred to the FIA for further investigation.

Monaco Grand Prix stewards spent more than three hours debating the issue post-race; the protest originally rose by Red Bull Racing and Ferrari, and ultimately released a statement stating that a report was being prepared to be reviewed by the FIA (the governing body of Formula 1 Racing).

“After hearing and collecting information the stewards will write a report to the FIA who may bring the matter before the International Tribunal” read part of the statement issued.
The protest was initially raised before the start of the Monaco Grand Prix by both Ferrari and Red Bull Racing after it became apparent that Mercedes AMG F1 had used a 2013 Formula 1 car for Pirelli tyre testing at Barcelona after the Spanish Grand Prix.

Mercedes Executive Director Toto Wolff has since insisted that Mercedes were not secretive about the test after the Spanish Grand Prix, telling media the “Nothing was secret. We left everything there [after the Spanish Grand Prix]; the garage, the buses, the trucks, all the engineering offices. Everybody speaks about everything these days and there was nothing kept a secret.”

Wolff was also quick to comment that there were no new specifications or parts that Mercedes could have tested due to the short time-frame they were given by Pirelli – apparently the team were asked only “ten days maximum” before Pirelli wished to test.
Finally, Mercedes also state that they were given the full authority of the FIA to use their current car in the tyre test development. Rival teams still argue that the rules are very clear, and that Mercedes are in breach of the rule – Article 22.4 h of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations.

Triple World Champion Sebastian Vettel was asked about the situation post-race in Monaco, and though he did not believe the test helped Mercedes win today, he is inquisitive of whether or not the team tested, stating “I don’t think they won today because of last week - I want to get that straight - but surely it helps if you get extra experience, time to test - we know that testing at the race is very limited - Not for one particular race but for the remainder of the season.”

With the Monaco Grand Prix result being made official by the FIA, Nico Rosberg’s win and Lewis Hamilton’s fourth place will not be at risk, but if the team is found to be breach of the rules it could face future sanctions.

In other news following the Monaco Grand Prix, Romain Grosjean has been handed a ten place gird penalty to be served at the Canadian Grand Prix for causing a collision with Daniel Ricciardo.

Having been involved in several accidents during the Monaco Grand Prix weekend on his own, Grosjean ran into the back of Ricciardo at speed exiting the tunnel and heading into the chicane. The incident ended Ricciardo’s race immediately and though managing to recover and return his Lotus to the pits for a new front wing, Grosjean would retire on the next lap.
Grosjean’s teammate Kimi Raikkonen was also called to the stewards’ office after the race for setting a faster lap than the Safety Car delta time when the Safety Car was deployed. He escaped punishment with a simple reprimand.

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