The day everyone had been waiting for arrived. The verdict of the controversial Mercedes International Tribunal.
I was at the Red Bull Racing factory for their #OPENHOUSE event but I still managed to keep up with proceedings. After Thursday's (20th June) seven hour stint at the FIA's Paris HQ the verdict finally arrived, a test ban for the Brackley based squad.
More specifically suspension from the up-coming Young Driver Test at the Silverstone circuit.
Pirelli and Mercedes were both reprimanded for their part in the 'private test' that took place after the Spanish Grand Prix.
Mercedes very own lawyer did suggest the YDT ban in court on Thursday should the team be found guilty of breaching the Sporting Regulations forbidding in-season testing.
The team came off lightly in all honesty after clearly gaining an advantage from testing with their 2013 car. The five man judging panel rules that "neither Pirelli nor Mercedes acted in bad faith at any material time" and both parties disclosed "at least the essence of what they intended to do in relation to the test and attempted to maintain permission for it."
However regarding article 22.1 of the 2013 Sporting Regulations, they deemed that they "did maintain some material advantage which as a result "at least potentially gave it an unfair sporting advantage."
The FIA admit that they hope "lessons are learnt" over the whole debacle, adding "To this end, the FIA will make sure, in association with all F1 teams, that its control of the testings is strengthened,"
Mercedes released a statement prior to the decision, saying: "The Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team acknowledges and accepts the decision of the FIA International Tribunal published today.
"The decision of the International Tribunal confirmed that the team acted in good faith regarding the Pirelli Tests, never intended to obtain any unfair sporting advantage and had no reason to believe that approval for the Pirelli Tests had not been given.
"Mercedes accepts the proportionate penalties of a reprimand and suspension from the forthcoming Young Driver Test that have been decided upon by the Tribunal.
"In the best interests of the sport, the team does not intend to avail itself of any right to appeal the decision."
Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner, who lodged the original protest, said on the verdict: "The Tribunal had all the facts presented to them in a fair manner yesterday and made their decision. We raised the protest as we wanted clarity on whether you are allowed to test in-season with a current car, as we believe this was a breach of the regulations.
Regarding the penalty given, Horner feels that the "penalty is not for us to decide" and that "It was for the Tribunal to decide and they made their decision."
I feel that Mercedes got off lightly with this one - perfect for them. They obviously gained an advantage and admitted that in court. The person I feel most sorry for is Sam Bird, their reserve driver, who misses out on three days testing with the team due to something that he was no way a part of.
The decision has been made and as always Formula One moves on to the future and the upcoming British Grand Prix.
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| (c) Reuters |
More specifically suspension from the up-coming Young Driver Test at the Silverstone circuit.
Pirelli and Mercedes were both reprimanded for their part in the 'private test' that took place after the Spanish Grand Prix.
Mercedes very own lawyer did suggest the YDT ban in court on Thursday should the team be found guilty of breaching the Sporting Regulations forbidding in-season testing.
The team came off lightly in all honesty after clearly gaining an advantage from testing with their 2013 car. The five man judging panel rules that "neither Pirelli nor Mercedes acted in bad faith at any material time" and both parties disclosed "at least the essence of what they intended to do in relation to the test and attempted to maintain permission for it."
However regarding article 22.1 of the 2013 Sporting Regulations, they deemed that they "did maintain some material advantage which as a result "at least potentially gave it an unfair sporting advantage."
The FIA admit that they hope "lessons are learnt" over the whole debacle, adding "To this end, the FIA will make sure, in association with all F1 teams, that its control of the testings is strengthened,"
Mercedes released a statement prior to the decision, saying: "The Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team acknowledges and accepts the decision of the FIA International Tribunal published today.
"The decision of the International Tribunal confirmed that the team acted in good faith regarding the Pirelli Tests, never intended to obtain any unfair sporting advantage and had no reason to believe that approval for the Pirelli Tests had not been given.
"Mercedes accepts the proportionate penalties of a reprimand and suspension from the forthcoming Young Driver Test that have been decided upon by the Tribunal.
"In the best interests of the sport, the team does not intend to avail itself of any right to appeal the decision."
Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner, who lodged the original protest, said on the verdict: "The Tribunal had all the facts presented to them in a fair manner yesterday and made their decision. We raised the protest as we wanted clarity on whether you are allowed to test in-season with a current car, as we believe this was a breach of the regulations.
Regarding the penalty given, Horner feels that the "penalty is not for us to decide" and that "It was for the Tribunal to decide and they made their decision."
I feel that Mercedes got off lightly with this one - perfect for them. They obviously gained an advantage and admitted that in court. The person I feel most sorry for is Sam Bird, their reserve driver, who misses out on three days testing with the team due to something that he was no way a part of.
The decision has been made and as always Formula One moves on to the future and the upcoming British Grand Prix.
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