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Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,827 Points: -13,348
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The latest revelations.. Hamilton only found out he was testing the tyres just days before, but the test was booked weeks in advance after a planned track day in Barcelona was cancelled. He was forced to fly back from an event in Florida with sponsors to take part in the test.
Hamilton and Rosberg were given unmarked helmets for the test so as not to attract attention. The team did not use regular test driver Sam Bird and also used their current F1 car, which is a breach of the F1 rules.
Mercedes only told a handful of team members to keep news about the test to a minimum. Ross Brawn has put himself in the firing line after agreeing to the ‘private’ test but refused to admit whether the team’s chairman Niki Lauda knew about it.
An eyewitness has been reported as saying he was prevented from watching the test and was ushered along by hired security at the circuit.
Red Bull refused to accept Pirelli’s offer of a test as they felt it broke the sport’s rules.
A date for the hearing is thought to be June 20, just before the British GP.
Any thoughts on what might be the outcome?
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Rank: Elite Groups: registriert, Registered Joined: 20/03/2011 Posts: 2,356 Points: 7,122 Location: UK
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They could do either 1 of 2 things and ban them from the rest of the 2013 championship completely (which would not be the best for F1 or it's Fans) or remove any points they have won from this years races.. basically ruling them out of any chance to win either the drivers or constuctors Championship for 2013 as they did to McLaren with the "SpyGate" scandal Spence
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Rank: Vice-Master Groups: Registered
Joined: 11/05/2011 Posts: 766 Points: 2,128 Location: Dagenham
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Massive fine and points deduction for sure CURRENT BUILDS
Mclaren MP4-23 Ford 1/12 Shelby Mustang GT500 2010 HMS Pandora
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Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,827 Points: -13,348
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I'm not so sure. Ross Brawn was adamant that Mercedes had gained permission from the FIA prior to the test, which if true means they are as culpable as Mercedes and were knowingly breaking their own rules? Though they aren't saying very much at the moment, I think when the final judgement is made on any punishment (if at all), then the FIA will have to be very careful what they do or say?
If they DID give permission then they will have to back Mercedes up fully, or if they try to distance themselves from any blame, even though they authorised it, then I can see Mercedes engaging in a very lengthy court action against the FIA!! Of course, Ross Brawn could just be telling porkies about any authorisation given by the FIA, though I think Ross is a man of great integrity and wouldn't knowingly entertain anything that breached the rules?
My personal view on the supposed covering up of the test and the use of plain helmets on the drivers to suggest that only non-current drivers were being used (even test drivers currently contracted to Mercedes), was simply because the FIA insisted that it be done that way, because although they wanted to allow a test due to the fragility of the new spec of tyres and urgently needed to resolve the problems they were causing, they also wanted to avoid any pointing of fingers in their own direction as they would look rather stupid if they were responsible for setting the rules and then breaking them as and when they pleased?
The FIA are as guilty as Mercedes and Pirelli - they just aren't admitting it yet and they've been caught with their pants down!!?
Kev
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Rank: Master Groups: Registered
Joined: 15/04/2010 Posts: 1,266 Points: 3,841 Location: The Quantock Hills,Somerset
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Personally I think Ross is telling the truth,permission was sought & given,& for a man of his fastidous nature there will be a paper trail to back him up otherwise I don't think he would have condoned it...wether or not the FIA can be trusted to put there hands up & say oh yeah we did sign that is another matter entirely. Unfortunately going by past events of this sort of nature Ross will be left swinging in the breeze with tumbleweed blowing past him as the F1 circus carries on it's merry way. Rob Nolli Illigitimi Carborundum!!!Current Builds: HMS Victory, SV Thermopylae
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Rank: Semi-Pro Level 1 Groups: Registered
Joined: 02/10/2012 Posts: 72 Points: 212
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in my opinion, they shouldnt ban them from the rest of the 2013 championship because you have the British GP coming up (hamilton fanbase) and then the german GP (mercedes and rosberg fanbase). so it would cause huge trouble. i think that a points deduction and a fine should be a fair punishment, they should bring in season testing back to formula 1 next season to stop all the trouble, and just get rid of pirelli because all they have done is ruined formula 1 this season because it's all about tyre management and not racing anymore. Aidan :D
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