Mercedes F1 team banned from Young Drivers’ test
Brackley, 21 June 2013: Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team was reprimanded and banned by the International Tribunal of FIA, the world governing body of the sport to participate in the Young Drivers’ test to be held in July.
Statement from Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team
The MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team acknowledges and accepts the Decision of the FIA International Tribunal published on Friday.
The Decision of the International Tribunal confirmed that the team acted in good faith regarding the Pirelli Tests, never intended to obtain any unfair sporting advantage and had no reason to believe that approval for the Pirelli Tests had not been given.
Mercedes accepts the proportionate penalties of a reprimand and suspension from the forthcoming Young Driver Test that have been decided upon by the Tribunal.
Mercedes would like to once again restate its firm belief in proper due process and commend the FIA for the principle of an independent disciplinary body.
The team would furthermore like to thank the International Tribunal and its President for the fair hearing it received yesterday.
In the best interests of the sport, the team does not intend to avail itself of any right to appeal the Decision.
Mercedes looks forward to working with the FIA and its fellow competitors to establish a more rigorous procedure for testing in the future, particularly to support the appointed tyre supplier.
We now wish to bring this matter to a close and focus on the forthcoming British and German Grands Prix, both of which are important home races for the team.
Statement by FIA
The FIA duly notes the decision handed down today by the FIA International Tribunal against Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team and Pirelli Tyres.
This decision follows (i) the disciplinary proceedings instigated by the FIA, on the basis in particular of the report by the Stewards of the Monaco Grand Prix, forwarded to the FIA following the two protests made by Scuderia Ferrari Team and Red Bull Racing respectively, and (ii) the hearing that took place yesterday before the International Tribunal with the participation of all the parties concerned.
The FIA wishes 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.
It is recalled that the notification of the FIA International Tribunal’s decision opens to each of the parties concerned the possibility of bringing an appeal against this decision before the FIA International Court of Appeal within 7 days.
ends
