Mercedes have admitted that the use of black helmets for both Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg during their three-day private tyre test was an error.
Speaking at the International Tribunal on Thursday, Mercedes lawyer Paul Harris QC said he understood how that could be seen as a move to make the test ‘secretive’.
“We can see now, with the benefit of hindsight, how other teams could become suspicious,” he said.
“We regret now the decision of our drivers to wear black helmets… we regret it and we apologise.”
He explained the reasoning behind the helmets – which team principal Ross Brawn previously stated was done to avoid outside interest.
“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.”
