Any F1 fans

[Clkrichard]

It is now

 

[npuk]

Williams F1 swithes to Mercedes engines for 2014. http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1...s-will-supply-their-engines-from-2014-onwards

So Mclaren, Force India and Williams using Mercedes 1.6-litre V6 turbocharged engines next year, Mclaren switch to Honda in 2015.

 

[toby1]

International Tribunal to rule on the Mercedes/Pirelli tyre testing case today

The FIA case
The FIA stated its case, which was that Mercedes had not been given permission to test with a 2013 car, as had been claimed.

The FIA lawyer, Mark Howard QC argued that the only the World Motor Sport Council had the power to authorise something which goes against the rules.

Mercedes asked the FIA’s Charlie Whiting via telephone in on May 2 if they could use a 2013 car for a Pirelli test and he consulted with FIA in house lawyer Sebastian Bernard, who said that it was possible provided that Pirelli invited all the other teams to test and to show that it had done so.

“There was no attempt whatsoever by Mercedes to involve the other teams in order to ensure that no perception of an advantage was obtained,” the FIA’s lawyer Mark Howard said.

He added that Whiting told Mercedes’ Ross Brawn of the FIA’s stance to the principle of using a 2013 car in a Pirelli test, but also indicated him it was not a binding commitment from the FIA. Only the World Council had that power, he underlined.

“Whether or not Whiting consented, it is irrelevant, because testing in relation to Article 22 is a breach, unless it [a rule change] is granted by the World Motor Sport Council,” he said.

“This communication (Whiting’s message to Brawn) was not an agreement by the FIA – it was nothing more than Whiting and Bernard’s interpretation of [article] 22.”

The FIA also argued that Mercedes’ enquiries were vague rather than specific and that they were wrong not to follow up with Whiting with an explanation of the test they planned to carry out.

Howard claimed that Mercedes must have derived benefit from the test, “It is not beyond the bounds of possibility that some defect would have become apparent in the three days track testing, and it cannot seriously be suggested that Mercedes would not seek to remedy that defect,” he said.

Mercedes’ case
Ross Brawn spoke for Mercedes. The thrust of his argument was that the test was not conducted by Mercedes, it was conducted by Pirelli.

Mercedes’ QC Paul Harris said, “This was not a test undertaken by Mercedes. They are critical words in text of (Sporting Regulation) Article 22 – ‘undertaken by’. The Pirelli test was not a test ‘undertaken by’ Mercedes. It is irrefutable it is a test ‘undertaken by’ Pirelli.”

Harris also went on the offensive, trying to argue that if Mercedes was in the wrong, then the Ferrari test which took place in Barcelona a few weeks before Mercedes, using a 2011 car with Pedro de la Rosa at the wheel, was also in breach of the rules.

“It does not follow that if Ferrari runs on track a 2011 car, that that 2011 car does not conform substantially to either the 2012 or 2013 regulations. There was only 0.5s difference between the 2011 cars and 2013 cars, showing the changes between 2011 and 2013 are minuscule in terms of performance.”

Harris claimed that the test, and another test apparently conducted last season with a two year old car by Felipe Massa, were subject to a lack of transparency and that there had been an exchange of information after that test between Mr Hamashima, Ferrari’s tyre specialist and Pirelli.

Under cross examination, after the initial submissions from all three partied had been heard, Brawn argued that Mercedes had derived no competitive benefit over its rivals from the opportunity to test tyres for three days, “I don’t see how,” he said. “We didn’t know what the tyres were; we didn’t know what the detail objectives were of what Pirelli were doing. We always work on the principle that no information is better than bad information. I don’t see how we could have used any data from that test.”

However when cross examined further he admitted that the team must have learned something from an opportunity to run its current car for three days, “I think that is unavoidable, and was a consideration taken into account when we had permission from the FIA to do the test. But it does need to be kept in proportion.”

Mercedes also argued that the way F1 works, the opinion of Whiting is biding on all technical queries, such as whether a new innovation can be used on a car, so why should it be any different for sporting matters?

Mercedes did apologise for the impression of secrecy created by the drivers wearing black helmets, disguising their identity, “We regret now the decision of our drivers to wear black helmets and we apologise, ” said Harris. “We had our reasons – it was about the lack of bodyguard and security personnel. We do acknowledge that this part of the test aroused suspicions and it is regrettable.”

Pirelli’s case

Pirelli was unhappy about being drawn as a co-respondent into this Tribunal, as it is not a competitor and felt it was not subject to the disciplinary process.

The FIA’s reason for bringing them in was the lack of transparency over the test and lack of opportunity given to the other teams,

“None of the other 2013 competitors were invited to participate in the test or observe. None of the other 2013 competitors was aware that the test was to take place. Without the knowledge, consent and participation of other competitors, Mercedes and Pirelli may have engaged in activity that was prejudicial to the competition.”

* At the end of the hearing Mercedes’ lawyer asked for leniency in the event that the team is found to be in breach of the rules. He suggested that a suitable punishment would be for Mercedes to miss the three day young drivers test at Silverstone next month.

History shows that advising courts how to punish does not generally lead them to follow the suggestion. It also indicates that Mercedes feel they may have come out on the wrong side of this one.

If that is the case, expect to see pressure on Ross Brawn’s position from both within Mercedes and the sport as a whole.

 

[toby1]

And they walk away with a minor slap on the wrist...

The FIA International Tribunal has handed Mercedes a reprimand over its part in the controversial Pirelli tyre test and stopped it from taking part in the Young Drivers’ test next month.

Pirelli has also been reprimanded; it will be interesting to see what their reaction is as they felt that they should not have been part of the proceedings in the first place. Their lawyer Dominique Dumas said yesterday that “we do not come under the jurisdiction or authority of the FIA”.

Here’s what the statement said:

“The Tribunal, after having heard the parties and examined their submissions, decided that:
1. Mercedes be reprimanded;

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

3. Pirelli be reprimanded;

and rejected all other and further conclusions.”

 

[davidsw]

Pirelli also were quoted as saying "It's a shame ,we were hoping to get banned so we don't have to spend millions on developing tyres that don't work very well "

 

[toby1]

They must be doing it wrong!

 

[Steve@Avantgarde]

Politics as per usual, the FIA knew that they had given permission but only verbally and the stink has been caused by RBR. Which is ironic, given that RBR have been running flexi front wings and questionable rear floors which deliberately flout the regulations and suddenly lost half a second a lap when it was banned after Monaco last year, a race which Mark Webber won.

No one is whiter than white in F1 which is why it is called the phiranna club.

 

[cleverdicky]

Im losing interest in F1 just as fast as their development.

 

[toby1]

Anyone going this weekend? Four of us are heading up Wednesday after work for the whole do, using the Woodlands campsite. Looking forward to it

 

[Cole@MBS]

Webber calling it a day then.......

Kimi at RBR next year??????

 

[bob 6600]

I hope Kimi does go to RBR and kickd Vettel's arse.

If I was Webber I'd make sure Vettel was brought down a peg or two before I left

 

[npuk]

Kimi is out of contract this year, Lotus need cash had to sell 30% stake. Wouldnt be suprised if the deals aleady behind the doors, done Kimi to RBR.

 

[Rotorhead500]

I hope Kimi does go to RBR and kickd Vettel's arse.

If I was Webber I'd make sure Vettel was brought down a peg or two before I left

Reckon Kimi would be awesome in the RB..... But can you imagine SV's tantrum?

Better yet, can you imagine the post-race weigh-in if he pulled the same trick on Kimi? :lol:

 

[npuk]

Just back from Silverstone. Brilliant race, great atmosphere and great weather. Our seats were on the international pit straight and just in front of pole position on the grid. Thought it was a great place to watch from. Got some videos will upload when I get a chance.

We used the park and ride and it was very good, no delays. No traffic at all on the way but there was coming back. Some muppet nicked two of my mercedes full stem valve caps, just the front not the rears.

 

[toby1]

We had a great weekend! The campsite was very good, excellent entertainment all round. We were at the first grandstand at Stowe so saw quite a bit of action. BBQ and beered-out, plus a bit sunburnt!

Pity the tyre issues ruled out a Hamilton win, plus JEV lost me a fiver but all-in-all, an excellent mini-break with F1 - recommended!

 

[Steve@Avantgarde]

I was at my usual place at the bottom of hangar straight in the braking area of Stowe. Had a great view of Vergne and Gutierrez tyres exploding!! Was a fantastic GP and the last 8 laps were epic racing, real proper, hard racing. Great stuff.

 

[toby1]

I was at my usual place at the bottom of hangar straight in the braking area of Stowe. Had a great view of Vergne and Gutierrez tyres exploding!! Was a fantastic GP and the last 8 laps were epic racing, real proper, hard racing. Great stuff.

We were very close then!

 

[toby1]

I really hope this German GP shapes up to be a proper scrap between HAM and VET - what we may have missed last weekend.

 

[toby1]

Looks like MB still haven't overcome the tyres issues, unfortunately. Nearly a grandstand finish though!

Now that WEB is retiring, rumours abound on his replacement: RAI, RIC and HUL all being touted about

 

[s5tuart]

Looks like MB still haven't overcome the tyres issues, unfortunately. Nearly a grandstand finish though!

Now that WEB is retiring, rumours abound on his replacement: RAI, RIC and HUL all being touted about

and don't forget Paul Di Resta