Mercedes accept punishment

Mercedes have accepted their punishment handed down by the FIA's International Tribunal
22 June 2013

Mercedes have looked to move on from the Pirelli tyre test controversy by confirming they will not appeal against the punishments handed down by the FIA's International Tribunal.

Mercedes and tyre manufacturer Pirelli were each reprimanded after being found to be in breach of the FIA's sporting regulations over a three-day test they conducted in Barcelona in May, but were spared stern sanctions when the tribunal delivered its verdict on Friday. Mercedes have been banned from competing in the forthcoming young driver test session to be held at Silverstone on July 17-19, but given the possible range of sanctions they faced, they unsurprisingly elected to take the "proportionate" punishment on the chin and move on.

"The Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team acknowledges and accepts the decision of the FIA International Tribunal published today," the team said in a statement. "Mercedes accepts the proportionate penalties of a reprimand and suspension from the forthcoming Young Driver Test that have been decided upon by the Tribunal. In the best interests of the sport, the team does not intend to avail itself of any right to appeal the decision."

Mercedes had been at the mercy of a range of sanctions ranging from a fine, through to a points deduction, race bans or even exclusion from the world championship. The verdict came a day after the FIA-appointed tribunal met to determine whether Mercedes and Pirelli violated F1's sporting regulations during the Barcelona test. Mercedes were brought before the hearing on suspicion that they contravened a ban on in-season testing by using their current car and regular drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg in the 1,000-kilometre test organised by Pirelli.

Mercedes maintained throughout they had not benefited from any of the data, that they had the permission of FIA race director Charlie Whiting to use their 2013 car, and that their motivations for undertaking the test was primarily to assist Pirelli resolve tyre safety issues. In its full decision, the tribunal presided over by Edwin Glasgow QC noted that the testing "was not carried out by Pirelli and/or Mercedes with the intention that Mercedes should obtain any unfair sporting advantage" and that "neither acted in bad faith at any material time".

The statement continued: "Both Pirelli and Mercedes disclosed to FIA at least the essence of what they intended to do in relation to the test and attempted to obtain permission for it; and Mercedes had no reason to believe that approval had not been given."

Yet the tribunal went on to say they nevertheless had grounds to bring sanctions.

"By running its car(s) in the course of the testing, Mercedes acted in breach of Article 22.4 h) SR; insofar as FIA expressed its qualified approval for the testing to be carried out, that approval could not, and did not, vary the express prohibition stipulated by Article 22 SR and neither Mercedes nor Pirelli took adequate steps to ensure that the qualification was satisfied," the statement read.

The FIA, which called for the tribunal to rule on the matter following a protest from Red Bull and Ferrari ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, responded to the verdict in a separate statement in which the body expressed hope that "lessons are learnt from this case and from the decision handed down".

"To this end, the FIA will make sure, in association with all F1 teams, that its control of the testings is strengthened," the statement added.

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