Tribunal: Mercedes reprimanded and banned from young driver test

Mercedes has been banned from testing at Silverstone next month, it emerged as the FIA’s international tribunal on Friday handed down its verdict.

The German marque, and F1’s tyre supplier Pirelli, were also "reprimanded" at the end of the so-called test-gate scandal and ordered to pay costs, as the judge’s panel found the post-Spanish grand prix test at Barcelona was a breach of the rules.

As a result, Mercedes will not be allowed to field ’young drivers’ at the forthcoming three-day test at Silverstone in July.

The carmaker was also ordered to pay a third of the costs of the investigation, with Pirelli to pick up the bill for another third.

"The FIA wishes that lessons are learnt from this case," said the governing body in a separate statement.

"To this end, the FIA will make sure ... that its control of the testings is strengthened."

The statement said Mercedes and Pirelli can appeal.

PR in full

The following hearing of the International Tribunal took place in Paris on Thursday 20 June 2013. Disciplinary procedure against Mercedes and Pirelli (2013 FIA Formula One World Championship)

Reminder of the facts

On 5 June 2013, further to protests lodged during the 2013 Monaco GP by Red Bull Racing and Ferrari Scuderia Team against cars n°9 and 10 (Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team) for having conducted with Pirelli a three day tyre testing using a 2013 car on 15, 16 and 17 May in Barcelona, the President of the FIA, acting as the FIA Prosecuting Body, sent to the President of the International Tribunal a notification of charges against Pirelli and a notification of charges against Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team.

On 5 June 2013, Pirelli and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team have been convened by the President of the International Tribunal to appear before a judging panel of the International Tribunal.

Decision of the International Tribunal

The Tribunal, after having heard the parties and examined their submissions, decided that:

— Mercedes be reprimanded;

— Mercedes be suspended from participating in the forthcoming “three day young driver training test”;

— Pirelli be reprimanded.

and rejected all other and further conclusions.

The International Tribunal was presided over by Mr Edwin GLASGOW QC (Great Britain), and included Mr Christy HARRIS (United States), Mr Patrick RAEDERSDORF (Switzerland) and Mr Anthony SCOTT ANDREWS (Great Britain).

The full decision is available here : http://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/press_release/file/(IT-2013-01)-Decision%20(EN).pdf