Mercedes and Pirelli will have to face an International Tribunal investigation following the FIA’s decision to refer the matter to the independent panel as it believes rules have been broken.
A statement released on Wednesday confirmed that Ferrari, who were also asked to provide evidence after it became apparent they too carried out a secret test, will not face any further action.
The Mercedes test drew protests from Red Bull and Ferrari because they used a 2013 car, rather than an older model, as was the case with Ferrari who used their 2011 challenger.
Those protests saw the matter reported to the stewards in Monaco, who referred it to the FIA. The governing body has now asked the International Tribunal to investigate the test and what action should be taken.
The FIA’s statement confirmed it has asked all those involved, including the remaining nine teams, to provide information.
No date has been set for the hearing, but under the FIA’s own rules, Mercedes have 15 days to submit their case, whilst the tribunal will have a further 15 days to respond. After that, a further 15 days must pass before the hearing takes place. Therefore it is unlikely we’ll know the outcome until after the German GP.
THE FIA STATEMENT IN FULL
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 2013[1].
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 2013.
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.
[1] The Stewards’ report follows the protests made by Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Ferrari Team on the occasion of the Monaco Grand Prix against Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 concerning its participation in the Barcelona tests (15-17 May 2013).
