The FIA has issued a statement on the ‘secret’ tyre test which took place following the Spanish Grand Prix, resulting in an official protest by Red Bull and Ferrari in Monaco.
Whilst Mercedes and Pirelli have claimed the test was run with the FIA’s permission, the governing body has clarified its position on the matter, claiming it wasn’t made aware of certain criteria which would have deemed the test legal.
“At the beginning of May, the FIA was asked by Pirelli if it was possible for it to carry out some tyre development testing with a team, using a current car. Within the contract Pirelli has with the FIA as single supplier, 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.
“Pirelli and Mercedes-AMG were advised by the FIA that such a development test could be possible if carried out by Pirelli, as opposed to the team that would provide the car and driver, and such tests would be conditional on every team being given the same opportunity to test in order to ensure full sporting equity.
“Following this communication, 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.”
Pirelli’s Paul Hembery stated that he offered the opportunity to all the teams, but they either failed to reply or turned Pirelli down before Mercedes accepted to help.
The FIA added that it may take the matter before the International Tribunal where it could overturn the stewards decision not to penalise Mercedes immediately after the Monaco GP.
“In addition, with regard to the application of the sports rules, including principles of sporting equity, it should be remembered that the international sporting code provides that on the basis of a report by the stewards of a meeting, or on its own initiative, the prosecuting body of the FIA may bring a matter before the International Tribunal.
“The Tribunal may decide to inflict penalties that would supersede any penalty the stewards of the meeting may have issued. Such procedure would be followed in pursuance of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary rules.”
A penalty/sanction of some sort certainly looks likely given how the statement is worded, unless the two parties in question can prove they had full approval and the same deal was offered to other teams.
