Zitat Fleet Street weighs into F1's latest tyre row Controversy - or is it 'contemptible farce'? - erupted at the Monaco GP
By Mike Wise. Last Updated: May 27, 2013 9:39am
Nico Rosberg might have scored an assured victory in the Monaco Grand Prix but it was Formula 1's unerring instinct for arcane off-track argument that left Fleet Street's finest frothing on Monday morning.
Tyres are, inevitably, the source of the latest controversy, with the FIA issuing a statement three hours after Rosberg took the chequered flag claiming that they weren't made fully aware of the test Mercedes and Pirelli undertook after the Spanish Grand Prix.
Red Bull and Ferrari launched a protest, with race stewards now sending a report to the governing body, which has the power to issue swingeing sanctions.
'No sooner had Nico Rosberg emerged triumphant for Mercedes amid the maelstrom of an accident-strewn race than his team became engulfed in an extraordinary row over tyres,' wrote The Daily Telegraph's Oliver Brown. 'As their leading rivals erupted in indignation at the disclosure that the Silver Arrows had carried out a private, 600-mile test in Barcelona earlier this month, Red Bull sporting director Helmut Marko angrily claimed that Mercedes' actions had handed Rosberg a one-second-per-lap advantage in his victory over Sebastian Vettel.'
According to The Times' Kevin Eason, the hearing took place in circumstances somewhat at odds with Monaco's more normal image of glitz and glamour. 'Race stewards set up a makeshift court in their Portakabin balanced on the waterfront', he wrote. 'One by one the accusers and the accused trooped in: Red Bull and Ferrari protesting that Mercedes had taken part in a banned tyre test with Pirelli immediately after the Spanish Grand Prix a fortnight ago; Ross Brawn, the Mercedes team principal, and Paul Hembery, Pirelli's motor sport director, were then called in to mount their defence'.
A curious aspect of the case is that no-one beyond the participants seemed to know that the test was actually taking place. The Times said that 'details (were) apparently blurted out at the Formula One drivers' meeting late on Saturday night' while The Daily Mail's Jonathan McAvoy pondered the apparent secrecy. 'If Mercedes believe their test was sanctioned and beyond reproach, why did team principal Ross Brawn not talk openly about the test?' he asked.
And what of any punishment? According to the Telegraph, 'Should Mercedes be found guilty the FIA could theoretically ban the German team for the rest of the season, although a more likely punishment would be for Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton to lose the points they picked up in the race' while The Times suggests 'a fate anywhere from innocence to disqualification from the World Championship'.
The Mail thinks 'a fine is more likely' while The Guardian's Paul Weaver pointed out that the stakes are also high for Pirelli, 'who could face a hefty fine, are still waiting to be confirmed as next year's tyre suppliers'.
Back to the Times, finally, who summed up the situation as a 'contemptible farce' that highlights 'F1's ridiculous and complex laws'.
ZitatMercedes test row: How the International Tribunal works By Jonathan Noble Tuesday, May 28th 2013, 14:01 GMT
Formula 1 is waiting to hear from the FIA about whether or not it believes Mercedes broke the sport's rules in testing a 2013 car at Barcelona after the Spanish Grand Prix.
If it decides the team has a case to answer, then the matter will be taken to the International Tribunal (IT).
This could be the first time that the IT has been involved in such a high-profile matter.
F1's previous controversies, like the McLaren spy case in 2007, were ruled on by the FIA's own World Motor Sport Council.
AUTOSPORT explains exactly what the IT is, how it works and what it could do.
WHO SITS ON THE INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL?
The International Tribunal (IT) was set up in 2010 by the FIA General Assembly as part of a new judicial system.
Its remit is to rule on matters that cannot be immediately dealt with by race stewards.
The FIA statutes state: "The IT hears cases that have been submitted to it.
"It applies and interprets the present Rules with the aim of enforcing the Statutes and Regulations of the FIA, including the International Sporting Code."
The current president of the IT is Briton Edwin Glasgow, with the vice-president Laurent Anselmi coming from Monaco.
One of the key elements of the IT - a 12-man panel - is that it is completely separate from the governing body.
In the FIA statutes, it is stated: "The IT operates totally independently from the other bodies of the FIA and the members of the FIA."
HOW WOULD A TRIBUNAL HEARING WORK?
The FIA said the Concorde talks were progressingIf it is decided that Mercedes has a case to answer, then a judging panel of the IT will be convened.
According to the FIA statutes, the president will appoint a panel made up of at least three members - one of whom will be designated 'the President of the Hearing'.
To ensure independence, no members of the judging panel will be allowed to be the same nationality as one of the main parties of the case.
Both defence and other interested parties will be asked to submit written evidence before the hearing - and the final proceedings will be open to the media – unless there are exceptional circumstances.
WHEN WILL THE TRIBUNAL MEET?
Should the FIA decide that an IT hearing is required, then there is a strict process that has to be followed.
According to the FIA statutes, the prosecuted party will be given at least 15 days to submit their observations on the charges; and the prosecuting body will be given a further 15 days to reply.
There will then be a further 15 days between the reply by the prosecuting body and the hearing taking place.
That 45-day window means in theory that even if a hearing is given the go-ahead this week, it could take until after the German Grand Prix in July for it to be scheduled.
However, there are allowances – especially relating to sporting matters – which mean the process can be fast-tracked.
The statutes state: "The President of the Hearing may at any time decide to reduce or extend the time limits of proceedings."
WHAT WILL THE TRIBUNAL BE LOOKING AT?
One of Mercedes' explanations for running a 2013 car at the Barcelona test was that it received notification from the FIA that it would be OK to do so.
The FIA has stated, however, that such approval was conditional on the Pirelli test opportunity being available to other teams.
Such intricate elements of the case may not matter to the IT, however, for its role is to simply decide whether or not there has been a breach of the regulations.
Mercedes' rivals are adamant that the team running its 2013 car in testing at Barcelona was breaking the rules, irrespective of any separate agreement that existed with Pirelli.
The IT statutes make it clear: "Unless stated otherwise, offences or infringements are punishable, whether they were committed intentionally or negligently."
WHAT PUNISHMENTS CAN IT HAND OUT?
If the IT decides that there has been a breach of the rules, then the judging panel will hand out whatever punishment it thinks is appropriate.
Although there have been some suggestions that one sensible solution to ensure parity for the teams would be to allow Mercedes' rivals a similar three-day Pirelli test, such an option does not appear possible under the FIA statutes.
The IT's punishments are limited to fines, bans or the alternative sanctions laid out in the International Sporting Code (ISC).
The ISC says available sanctions are listed in the order of severity: reprimand, fines, obligation to accomplish some work of public interest, time penalty, exclusion, suspension or disqualification.
The FIA also states: "For the FIA Formula One World Championship and the FIA World Rally Championship, a penalty consisting of the withdrawal of points over the whole of the Championship may be imposed.
"The International Tribunal may also impose directly bans on taking part or exercising a role, directly or indirectly, in events, meetings or championships organised directly or indirectly on behalf of or by the FIA, or subject to the regulations and decisions of the FIA."
ZitatMiniDrivers @OfficialMinis 19m BREAKING NEWS Pirelli confirms there wouldn't be new tyres in Canada http://www.formel1.de/news/news/2013-05 ... ada-rennen …
ZitatBahrain International Circuit, mid-afternoon, Thursday 11th March 2010, and here comes Nico.
With his shuffling, almost lazy-looking gait, the (significantly) younger of Mercedes’ two F1 pilots is making his way across the Sakhir paddock.
Turning to say hello to a few photographers nearby, Nico looks as relaxed as could be.
Smiling while shaking hands, I offer a cheery line to start the new season:
“Nico, I want you to destroy that old man.”
Looking me straight in the eye and with no hesitation, he calmly but seriously responds, “I will.”
Three years on and with Michael Schumacher’s ‘second’ F1 career consigned to the history books, Rosberg is facing a new – and far tougher – challenge.
Sitting in the other Silver Arrow isn’t a man way past his prime, no, rather the guy many believe to be the quickest of the quick.
Lewis Hamilton has arrived.
What a stark contrast these two young men appear to be. Nico is all brooding northern European with a dash of Mediterranean panache, the hair, the looks, the lifestyle. He seems very content with his lot.
Lewis – well Lewis is Lewis, isn’t he. We all know he’s got talent to burn, is as fast as they come, a world champion, and in a winning car with an employer who will indulge him all his desires.
Girlfriend Nicole looking pretty on his arm, rapping homies in tow, and now even a dog called Roscoe to fuss over, Lewis has it all, right?
Wrong.
Not all going to script, is it?
Rosberg on pole for the last three grands prix and triumphant on the streets of Monte Carlo. Wasn’t that supposed to be Hamilton’s screenplay?
Up and down the F1 paddock, many an 'expert' is starting to re-evaluate their opinion of 1982 world champion Keke Rosberg’s 27-year-old son.
When he arrived at Williams for the 2006 campaign, Nico’s mechanics and his team-mate Mark Webber quickly christened him ‘Britney’ (after big-at-the-time popstar Britney Spears). The German’s flowing locks of blond hair and constant preening didn’t sit comfortably with the super-serious, engineering-led, Grove-based crew.
Looks, of course, can be deceiving.
Prior to his title-winning 2005 GP2 season, Rosberg declined an offer from Imperial College London to study Aeronautical Engineering and, as all new Williams drivers had done before, Nico took the team’s Engineering Aptitude Test, passing with the highest score in the team’s history.
The widely held view was that Nico amounted to little more than a strong number two driver, very capable of backing up a genuine F1 superstar and scoring a point or three, but unlikely to trouble the guys at the sharper end of the grid.
As we all know, he grew up in a privileged environment, sometimes appearing unaware that not all are so fortunate.
At one Paddock Club gathering I photographed a few years back, the (wealthy) guests and sponsors present were quizzed as to the identity of their first car. Answers ranged from a beaten-up Mini to a rusting Fiat Panda, from clapped-out Beetles to broken-down Datsuns.
Modesty was the tone.
Not Nico. He proudly informed one and all that his maiden ride was a top-of-the-line road rocket – an Audi RS6…
Time and age have been kind to the two-times grand prix winner. With his calm persona, and a certain cool and likeable charm, Rosberg has many F1 years still ahead of him.
Likely on to a good thing, Mercedes are the ‘coming’ team with the resource, the talent, the backing and the desire to be a genuine F1 super team. 2013 is going to plan and 2014 could be even better.
With his star rising at every race, Nico is earning new respect from all those who once doubted his talent – and guess what?
No one calls him Britney any more! [Except that " title="rasta" /> RagingJamaican]
I found it funny how people bring Schumacher down and say he was destroyed by Rosberg. That only happened in one season, and he was quicker in qualifying the next.
People are quick to bring him down, he was on par with Rosberg in 2011 with more retirements, 2012, he was in my opinion the better of the two but was plagued by reliability.
Hamilton's been a bit behind Rosberg recently, it should be the other way round, Rosberg starting off better then Hamilton pegging him back. Think we need to leave it until the end of the season come to a conclusion.
It could have easily been Hamilton on pole if he was the last one to cross the line, we know that being the last over the line in Monaco is a big benefit compared to other tracks.
I do like seeing Rosberg doing well, but I'm just trying to be grounded. " title="rasta" />
ZitatPirelli to test but not race modified 2013 F1 tyres in Canada By Edd Straw Wednesday, May 29th 2013, 11:22 GMT
Pirelli's modified 2013-specification rear tyres will only be used in Friday practice at next week's Canadian Grand Prix, rather than for the whole weekend as originally hoped.
A Pirelli spokesperson has confirmed to AUTOSPORT that the modified rubber, which will feature a 2012-style kevlar belt rather than the steel belt used in the current race tyres, will be evaluated during practice.
Each team will be given two sets of the new-specification rubber for evaluation with a view to them being used as race tyres from the British Grand Prix at the end of June onwards.
Pirelli had initially hoped to use the new rubber for the whole weekend in Canada, but struggled to get unanimous support from all teams.
By giving the teams extra sets for practice, this allows the tweaks to be tested before they are raced.
"We'll be bringing two sets per team for Friday practice with a view to implementing the new rear tyres in Silverstone," a spokesperson told AUTOSPORT.
"As the regulations allow for this and for reasons of sporting equity, we think that this is the best way forward."
The changes to the tyres have been made with a view to preventing a repeat of the delaminations seen in Bahrain and Spain.
By continuing to use the tyres for the Canadian Grand Prix, Pirelli accepts there is the risk of a repeat of such delaminations.
But it is confident that the new-specification tyres have solved the problem.
"We want to get rid of the delamination that we found is debris-induced and creates a weak spot and overheating," said Hembery of the changes.
"We believe the solution we have will completely resolve that."
The changes could also reduce the risk of a repeat of the four-stop strategies seen in Spain thanks to the operating temperatures of the new rear tyres dropping by 5-10 degrees.
FIA calls on Ferrari and Mercedes in F1 tyre test investigation By Matt Beer Friday, May 31st 2013, 19:34 GMT
The FIA has asked Ferrari as well as Mercedes to supply information for a disciplinary inquiry over recent Pirelli tyre tests that have taken place at Barcelona.
Mercedes' secret test for Pirelli with its 2013 car immediately after the Spanish Grand Prix was the initial focus of the scandal when news of the test broke during the Monaco GP weekend.
Ferrari and Red Bull lodged a protest against the team using a current car, with the stewards referring the matter to the FIA.
It also emerged that Ferrari's customer car division, the Corse Clienti, provided a 2011 car for a tyre test for Pirelli two weeks before the Mercedes session.
On Friday night the FIA issued a statement saying it wanted both Ferrari and Mercedes to participate in its investigation.
"The FIA has asked Team Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 and Scuderia Ferrari Team which have taken part in tyre tests in the 2013 season to reply to a disciplinary inquiry in pursuance of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules," said the statement.
"This follows the Stewards' Report from the Monaco Grand Prix and represents supplementary information required by the FIA in the light of the replies received from Pirelli, who were asked for clarifications on Tuesday May 28."
Although Mercedes' testing of a 2013 car has been the main focus of the row up until now, Ferrari's involvement in the disciplinary inquiry is more of a surprise because it was previously believed that its running of an '11 car was within the rules.
The exact details of the test have been kept quiet, but it is understood that the test with the F150 was paid for by Pirelli and run by the Maranello outfit's Corse Clienti division, so completely separate from the race team.
F1 teams have long been under the impression that running two-year-old cars was allowed, but there are now suggestions that even this could be in doubt.
Article 22.1 of the sporting regulations defines exactly what cars are exempt from the in-season testing ban - and appears to revolve around the definition of 'substantially different' from the current 2013 contenders.
"Track testing shall be considered any track running time not part of an event undertaken by a competitor entered in the championship, using cars which conform substantially with the current Formula 1 technical regulations in addition to those from the previous or subsequent year," states the rule.
One interpretation could be that a 2011 car is not 'substantially' different enough from the 2013 cars to be exempt from the testing limitations.
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