Mercedes trye test claims sent to tribunal
Mercedes trye test claims sent to tribunal
Formula 1's governing body the FIA is to send the case of alleged illegal in-season testing by Mercedes before its international tribunal.
The judicial body has the power to impose penalties ranging from exclusion from the world championship to a fine.
Mercedes were accused by rival teams of taking part in secret tyre tests with Pirelli that breached FIA rules.
The FIA said: "The conditions of this testing may constitute a breach of the applicable FIA rules."
However, it will not be taking action against Ferrari, who took part in tyre tests with Formula 1 tyre provider Pirelli in April.
Red Bull and Ferrari protested at the Monaco Grand Prix after discovering Pirelli used Mercedes to undertake a three-day test.
They believed Mercedes were gaining an unfair advantage over competitors by using their current car.
The Monaco GP stewards prepared a report for the FIA into the claims, which prompted a disciplinary inquiry by the governing body.
Pirelli's sporting director Paul Hembery gave a staunch defence of the tyre test with Mercedes which he said was neither secret nor inappropriate.
It then emerged Ferrari had also conducted a test with Pirelli - though using an earlier 2011 car - and the FIA involved the Italian team in its inquiry.
Red Bull and Ferrari protested at the Monaco Grand Prix after discovering Pirelli used Mercedes to undertake a three-day test.
They believed Mercedes were gaining an unfair advantage over competitors by using their current car.
The Monaco GP stewards prepared a report for the FIA into the claims, which prompted a disciplinary inquiry by the governing body.
Pirelli's sporting director Paul Hembery gave a staunch defence of the tyre test with Mercedes which he said was neither secret nor inappropriate.
It then emerged Ferrari had also conducted a test with Pirelli - though using an earlier 2011 car - and the FIA involved the Italian team in its inquiry.
An FIA statement issued on Wednesday said: "The Monaco Grand Prix Stewards raised in their report to the FIA an issue concerning a tyre testing session carried out by Pirelli with the participation of Team Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 in Barcelona on 15-17 May.
"The FIA requested clarifications from Pirelli and Team Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 in this respect. The FIA also asked questions to Scuderia Ferrari Team, which took part in a tyre testing with Pirelli in Barcelona on 23-24 April.
"The FIA requested all the other F1 Teams to provide the FIA with information they may have regarding any tests carried out by Pirelli during the 2013 season.
"In the light of all the replies received and in view of the information gathered during this inquiry, the President of the FIA, acting as the FIA prosecuting body, has decided to:
close the case as regard to Scuderia Ferrari Team considering that its participation in a tyre testing organized by Pirelli in Barcelona on 23-24 April 2013 using for this purpose a 2011 car is not deemed to contravene the applicable FIA rules.
To bring the case concerning the tyre testing session carried out by Pirelli and Team Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 in Barcelona on 15-17 May 2013 before the FIA International Tribunal because it results from the inquiry that the conditions of this testing may constitute a breach of the applicable FIA rules.
"The FIA International Tribunal is called upon to make a decision in compliance with the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules."
The judicial body has the power to impose penalties ranging from exclusion from the world championship to a fine.
Mercedes were accused by rival teams of taking part in secret tyre tests with Pirelli that breached FIA rules.
The FIA said: "The conditions of this testing may constitute a breach of the applicable FIA rules."
However, it will not be taking action against Ferrari, who took part in tyre tests with Formula 1 tyre provider Pirelli in April.
Red Bull and Ferrari protested at the Monaco Grand Prix after discovering Pirelli used Mercedes to undertake a three-day test.
They believed Mercedes were gaining an unfair advantage over competitors by using their current car.
The Monaco GP stewards prepared a report for the FIA into the claims, which prompted a disciplinary inquiry by the governing body.
Pirelli's sporting director Paul Hembery gave a staunch defence of the tyre test with Mercedes which he said was neither secret nor inappropriate.
It then emerged Ferrari had also conducted a test with Pirelli - though using an earlier 2011 car - and the FIA involved the Italian team in its inquiry.
Red Bull and Ferrari protested at the Monaco Grand Prix after discovering Pirelli used Mercedes to undertake a three-day test.
They believed Mercedes were gaining an unfair advantage over competitors by using their current car.
The Monaco GP stewards prepared a report for the FIA into the claims, which prompted a disciplinary inquiry by the governing body.
Pirelli's sporting director Paul Hembery gave a staunch defence of the tyre test with Mercedes which he said was neither secret nor inappropriate.
It then emerged Ferrari had also conducted a test with Pirelli - though using an earlier 2011 car - and the FIA involved the Italian team in its inquiry.
An FIA statement issued on Wednesday said: "The Monaco Grand Prix Stewards raised in their report to the FIA an issue concerning a tyre testing session carried out by Pirelli with the participation of Team Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 in Barcelona on 15-17 May.
"The FIA requested clarifications from Pirelli and Team Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 in this respect. The FIA also asked questions to Scuderia Ferrari Team, which took part in a tyre testing with Pirelli in Barcelona on 23-24 April.
"The FIA requested all the other F1 Teams to provide the FIA with information they may have regarding any tests carried out by Pirelli during the 2013 season.
"In the light of all the replies received and in view of the information gathered during this inquiry, the President of the FIA, acting as the FIA prosecuting body, has decided to:
close the case as regard to Scuderia Ferrari Team considering that its participation in a tyre testing organized by Pirelli in Barcelona on 23-24 April 2013 using for this purpose a 2011 car is not deemed to contravene the applicable FIA rules.
To bring the case concerning the tyre testing session carried out by Pirelli and Team Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 in Barcelona on 15-17 May 2013 before the FIA International Tribunal because it results from the inquiry that the conditions of this testing may constitute a breach of the applicable FIA rules.
"The FIA International Tribunal is called upon to make a decision in compliance with the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules."
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