Ferrari are the latest Formula One team to be dragged into the Pirelli tyre 'test-gate' row which escalated at last weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix.
Mercedes are under investigation by the FIA after it was discovered they had taken part in a three-day testing session with Pirelli following the Spanish Grand Prix this year.
And despite Ferrari joining Red Bull in leading the protests against Mercedes, the Italian manufacturer has now been dragged into the controversy, having themselves allegedly been part of a test with Pirelli between the Bahrain and Spanish Grand Prix.
The Italian team are now also facing disciplinary action, pending an FIA investigation, although they do not believe they breached any rules having used a two-year-old car during the tests, unlike Mercedes who are thought to have used this year’s model.
‘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. 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 28th.’ said a statement on the
FIA website.
Mercedes claimed their first race victory of the season last Sunday at the Monte Carlo Grand Prix, as
Nico Rosberg won from pole position. But the success was tainted as the team became embroiled in the tyre testing storm.
Pirelli’s tyres have been the source of much debate already this season and the latest episode involving Ferrari is another fiasco that won’t be welcomed to there expiring contract in F1.
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