The latest controversy to hit Formula 1 is that of Mercedes and Pirelli conducting a private tyre test in which they completed 1,000km of running, using a 2013 car (the W04) and it’s two drivers, Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton.
With the test coming to light a week later in Monaco, upset rivals Red Bull and Ferrari lodged official protests. It seemed as though nothing would come of it, Mercedes and Pirelli were adamant the test was completely above board and had the FIA’s approval. If that was the case, the protests would simply fall flat on their face.
However a statement issued by the governing body casts doubts on whether the German team and tyre supplier actually had explicit permission to conduct the test.
“There is provision for them to carry out up to 1000km of testing with any team – provided every team is offered the opportunity to do so,” read an FIA statement.
“Such a development test could be possible if carried out by Pirelli, as opposed to the team that would provide the car and driver.”
It then went on to add: “The FIA received no further information about a possible test from Pirelli or Mercedes-AMG. Furthermore, the FIA received no confirmation that all teams had been given an opportunity to take part in this test.”
In essence, the FIA is claiming they didn’t follow the correct procedures and later added it would take action – in what form is yet unclear, but it sounds as though one, or both, could face serious sanctions.
The FIA cannot fine nor penalise Pirelli because they are an external supplier, unlike Mercedes who are a competitor entered under the championship rules. Therefore the only true punishment they could issue against the Italian company, is to not agree a contract extension.
Pirelli have been making a lot of noise about the current contract which is due to expire at the end of the year. They expected a decision by April at the very latest. We’re almost in June. That prompted motorsport director Paul Hembery to slam the FIA – which they won’t have taken to too kindly – and he even suggested they might quit the sport.
“Apparently on September 1st, we are meant to tell them [the teams] everything that they need to know with the tyres for next season, but now we are in mid-May,” he said.
“You can imagine how ludicrous that is when we have not got contracts in place. Maybe we won’t be here [next year].”
Maybe Pirelli haven’t been offered a new contract, because the FIA have a new supplier lined up?
In 2010, the tender was opened to find a new tyre supplier following the withdrawal of Bridgestone. Pirelli won that tender, but Bernie Ecclestone – who is keen to see more Asian suppliers in the sport (think LG and TATA) – is known to have approached Hankook – a Korean tyre manufacturer – about supplying F1.
Hankook, with just a few months to develop an F1 tyre and no experience in motorsport declined, but they were keen on the idea as they look to expand globally.
Their CEO’s latest message to shareholders included the line: “We will not be content to rest as Korea’s No. 1 tire manufacturer, but strive to set global trends and lead the market through bold marketing activities.”
That last bit, ‘bold marketing activities’ saw them become the official tyre supplier for the DTM series – a contract they just extended until 2016. In fact, the DTM move was a “stepping stone” according to Hankook CEO Cho Hyun-Bum to give them a development platform to eventually supply F1.
“We are keen to do it [supply F1] and DTM is a logical stepping stone,” he said back in 2011 with a view to making the jump to F1 in the future.
Hankook also supply the FIA F3 Championship and FIA Junior WRC.
The FIA had nothing against Pirelli prior to Spain, other than the criticism their tyres have caused this season, but maybe this latest saga has given them the ammo to finally part ways?
