Top Teams Say They Were Not Asked About Pirelli Test

The controversy over Formula 1 teams doing secret tire tests with Pirelli this season continues to heat up. The news initially broke just before the start of the Monaco Grand Prix that MercedesMercedes-BenzGermany, 1924 > present197 models
9852 photos
33 videos
had done a 1,000km secret test with Pirelli after the Spanish Grand Prix. 

The further problem is that individual testing is against the sport's rules, but Pirelli has a clause in its contract saying that it can select teams to work with to improve the series' tires. The FIA has clarified that Pirelli should have contacted the other teams to see if they also wanted to participate in the test, but it appears that did not happen. Red BullRed BullAustria, 2004 > present12 models
1049 photos
3 videos
team principal Christian Horner says that he received a letter last year asking about a test, but he has not received anything this season.

FerrariFerrariItaly, 1947 > present233 models
5131 photos
37 videos
, Red Bull and LotusLotusUnited Kingdom, 1952 > present68 models
951 photos
7 videos
have lodged a complaint with the FIA over the unauthorized test.

"What is wrong is that a team, in an underhand way, consciously tested tires that were designed for this year's championship.

"It is remarkable that nobody knew that a current car with current drivers was running around the Barcelona track. It didn't come out until Friday," said Horner.

The controversy will not be over until it is clear who initiated the test. If it was Pirelli, then what Mercedes did was within the rules. If Mercedes went to Pirelli about the test, then it can expect harsh punishments from the FIA for violating the in-season testing rule.

Pirelli says that Mercedes gained no advantage in the test because it was developing tires for the 2014 season.

"In reality we were looking at next year's solutions and trying a variety of different [things]. Mercedes haven't got a clue what on earth we were testing in reality," said Pirelli Motorsport boss Paul Hembery.

Source: Autosport (1,2)