The FIA will investigate the Mercedes/Pirelli affair

After the complaints made by Ferrari and Red Bull following the secret tire tests conducted by Mercedes and Pirelli after the Spanish Grand Prix, the case has been forwarded by the Monaco Grand Prix stewards to the FIA, which will judge it through the International Tribunal.

Meanwhile, the International Automobile Federation issued a statement indicating that it was not aware of the conduct of these tests: « At the beginning of May, Pirelli asked the FIA if it was possible to conduct tire development tests with a team, using a current single-seater. Under Pirelli’s contract with the FIA as the sole manufacturer, there is the possibility for them to conduct 1000 km of testing with any team – provided that each team is also offered the opportunity to do so.

Pirelli and Mercedes-AMG have been informed by the FIA that such development tests would only be possible if conducted by Pirelli, as opposed to the team providing its car and driver, and that such tests would be conditioned on each team having the same opportunity to test in order to ensure complete fairness in the sport.

Following this communication, the FIA did not receive any further information regarding possible tests by Pirelli or Mercedes-AMG. Additionally, the FIA did not receive confirmation that all teams had been offered an opportunity to take part in these tests.

The FIA therefore publicly stated that it was not aware of all the details of these tests, however, Niki Lauda – one of the managers of the Mercedes team – told the Brazilian newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo that the FIA sent a delegate for these tests.

What is causing a problem for the FIA is that not all teams were contacted by Pirelli, this is notably the case for the Sauber, Lotus, and Sahara Force India teams: « I don’t think we were [questioned], I don’t remember. I’m not sure it was done the way you think it was done. There could have been a proposal at a FOTA meeting or something like that instead of an individual team’s perspective. But I don’t recall receiving a letter from Pirelli about this, » said Robert Fernley, deputy director of the Indian team, to Sky Sports Online after the race in Monaco.

The FOTA – the Formula 1 Teams Association – had indeed warned, via an email, a copy of which was forwarded to Autosport, all the teams that if Pirelli could carry out tests, there were certain rules to follow: « Pirelli has the right according to the terms of their agreement with the FIA to offer the teams 1000 km of tire testing, provided that each team is treated equally. However, there is no provision in the sporting regulations for such tests to be held during the season. [FOTA has] discussed with Charlie [Whiting, the FIA race director] to confirm this procedure, and there are two options: either ALL teams want to take advantage of Pirelli’s offer and this will be communicated to the FIA which will amend the sporting regulations, or the tests are held outside the season (and then the agreement on testing comes into play). »

The problem posed by these tests in the eyes of the FIA and Mercedes’ rivals therefore lies in several points: the lack of fairness between teams, the fact that these tests were conducted during the season, but especially the fact that a current car was used by Mercedes.

Stefano Domenicali, director of Scuderia Ferrari, thus stated that for him, it is not allowed – which explains the claim filed: « For two years, it was clear that Pirelli, in order to carry out tests, asked all teams to do runs. For us, it was very clear that we would not do it with the [current] car. That’s why, even if they didn’t formally ask us, we didn’t think it was possible. »

Same sentiment from Christian Horner, director of the Red Bull team, who has also filed a complaint with the FIA: « We never thought this was in accordance with the regulations. Obviously, Pirelli wanted to conduct tests for a while now, and the compromise they had found was to run with the Lotus (Renault); because they had the Toyota which was no longer relevant. That was the compromise. At one point, there was a proposal suggesting they should test with the team that had won the world championship, but obviously, this was met with horror [by the other teams] and it would have had to be unanimously approved anyway. It would never have happened. So all the test requests have always been, for the majority of the teams in the paddock, outside the regulations – thus impossible. »