^Didn't Brawn and Mercedes get caught out by a similar thing in the 2010 GP? Most other teams, instructed their drivers not to over take, Merecedes thought it was ok and Schumacher got a penalty.
At anyrate, do I have to point out the subtly again? About the test appearing to have conditions that weren't adhered too?
The FIA obviously think there is worth in this, or it'd have been thrown out like Ferrari's was.
Also Cooking, Ferrari weren't just fast after the test, they had been fast most of the year. Mercedes have been fast at qualifying, all of the year, but well, poor in the races, it's just Monaco doesn't have heavy tyre wear, and is very hard to pass at (though Alonso seems to be an exception judging by last race), I think that those were bigger factors in Rosberg's victory. Also, what';s the evidence most of the test was performed by Rosberg anyway?
The FIA have lawyers too, look at all the people who have posted past incidents, based on historical precedent, I think it is perfectly plausible (obviously this is different from true) that Merecede's have messed up.
Perelli probably messed up more however.
hey Vaptin, good points that I have bolded and will address;
The FIA are obliged to do something about it now there has been a complaint by RBR. Would they have taken any action if it hadnt come out in the open? They say they were informed after the test, but didnt get uppity till Monaco when there was a protest. Just saying its possible they were 'in on it and looking the other way as they have done for teams like RBR and Ferrari breaking the spirit of the rules before. theres no doubt Merc would not have been allowed to use the 2013 car plus drivers in any circumstance legally. So they broke the rules, but is there a technicality involved that FIA have no choice but to test in court to be seen as sporting and fair to the other teams?
yes Ferrari have been fast all year, but as we know, with these tyres, its not being fast per se, its been fast in a manner conducive to the tyre dynamic. That comes with understanding the tyres which comes with time (and testing). We saw this at start of last year clearly. So say ferrari had a particular issue to investigate, then maybe they got the data at the test. If thats the case then its easy to assume that its why they could suddenly use their fast car so effectively with even Massa on it.
Rosberg knows the car better than Lewis so the same token that dictates that current drivers are more useful to Perelli would also suggest Nico was more useful for the test. Also Lewis was physically somewhere else when the test began (even despite some twitter subterfuge stuff)
Yes the FIA had lawyers and so did everyone hauled up before them, but as we all know the final decisions and punishments were decided in a completely subjective and somewhat vindictive and tactical manner. - Indeed thats why Todt has introduced an external independent tribunal for the first time ever
Finally, yes Merc have 'messed up' by their action, as you say, so have Pirelli, and that is exactly why I say in most courts (except the old FIA blackshirt version) you are innocent till proven guilty beyond any doubt. Now if Perelli have messed up and they did it because of safety fears and Merc cannot be proven to have been anything other than a party that got caught up in this uncertainty etc then they will not be punished like they set out to break the aw and gain a massive advantage (which they got, but thats now academic) - they were a victim of misunderstanding in the rules, and of Pirellis 'mistakes' when they were motivated by safety concerns and short of time
This is how I read it. I am willing to bet if there is even a slight ambiguity in the wording of the process for Pirelli to act under the premise of safety and time, Merc will get off scot free. If not there will be a lot of appeals and legislation for a long time.
If this was the FIAs lawyers or the Benett days then we have seen how outcomes are skewed by Max and his flying tribunals. Merc have to be proven to have set out to deceive, break the law, cheated etc. Any doubt, and they walk
The FIA investigaed, a little, like they did with Ferrari, if they were satisfied, they could have dropped it their and then, like they have done so with Ferrari, they have chosen to pursue it at a higher level.
Ferrari were generally, good on their tyres too, though, Lotus were the best, and Kimi did very well in Barcelona too I recall on tyre management, but Alonso was faster on the first period of the race (like the Ferrari's have been all year). I think Kimi actually did a steady two stop (consistent lap times and pitting laps), whilst Ferrari went for a more aggressive three stop (race till the next pitstop), which paid off pretty well for them with Alonso.
The FIA actually said, they were informed about the possibility of a test, but received no further word about it, possibly the FIA didn't realise a current car had been used as well, or something, I'm not sure Merc have got a massive advantage, I am fairly sure, the FIA are going to insit, that other teams get the same amount of testing now, if there is any hint of a Mercede's advantage, assuming Mereced's don't get punished.
Uncertainty, isn't a great defence, a big team like Mercedes, who signed the sporting regulations etc.
Also, you are arguing any doubt and they will get off, it's possible the legal process can be escalated and the like, to people who determine what the rule actually meant, and therefore if Mercede's broke that rule or not.
I think the external legal route is still open, if Ferrari or Redbull want to pursue it, but I don't think they really do, Ferrari seem more interested in having testing with a 2013 car, I don't think either of those teams are that fussed enough about an advantage or anything, to spend a lot of time on it. At the moment, its the FIA doing the work.
I'm that knowledgeable, on the legality of it, I can just say, well, it is looking poor for Mercedes, and I still haven't seen any actually convincing arguments, and they (plus Perelli) just seem to keep providing conflicting versions etc. For all the confidence that seems to be getting reported, I don't see much in the way of reliability from Mercedes that they are innocent.
Obviously they might be, and may just be rubbish at explaining why. I've already explained why the "they gave us permission" argument, is unconvincing to me.
) but it wasn't it was Nico. Now had this really been a secret , then yes, maybe Lewis would be the one to let slip. Heart on sleeve, can't lie, says things as they come into his head. But it wasn't Lewis it was Nico.
