Formula 1 2013 – Mercedes And Pirelli Embroiled In “Testgate” Controversy
What Next? For now, Formula 1 will continue on and it seems there will be no change in Canada. Little more information has been forthcoming, with Mercedes issuing no further statement on the matter and Pirelli outlining their position, and the FIA theirs. Pirelli are fairly secure, after all who would pick up the job if they were to walk away? They conducted a test as specified, and mostly it just seems that its bureaucracy and paperwork thats been missed, rather than trying to influence the sport in some manner. The FIA outlined their position and are investigating the matter. They may bring the matter before an international tribunal should they feel it warrants it. They may choose to hand out heavy penalties to Mercedes, which could extend to exclusion from the championship should they so decide. This however is very unlikely, and its far more likely that, unless they can absolutely prove Mercedes colluded with Pirelli to gain an unfair advantage and conduct testing in-season, they will get a slap on the wrist, with a reprimand and fine, if anything at all. Lets be honest, how does it look for the FIA to admit that one of Formula 1s biggest teams and its sole tyre supplier staged a three-day event at one of the leading venues without them noticing and asking what they were doing? Right Here, Right Now Ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, the position on tyres has changed again. After the race at Monte Carlo which showed no problems with tyre wear in general, especially for the front runners, the subject has died down a little compared to what was being said following Bahrain and Spain. However, its of little surprise considering Monaco is the lightest track of the year on tyres, with almost no high-speed corners to load the tyres. But this seems to have taken the pressure off Pirelli to take immediate action regarding their compounds, and as such things for the Canadian race next weekend have altered. We heard most recently that Pirelli had brought forward plans to introduce new, more durable tyres at the British Grand Prix to the Canadian, in what seemed a pressured, knee-jerk reaction, seemingly when the FIA found a rat in the bed theyd made for themselves. However, now it has been announced that the new, developmental compound will be supplied as the Friday prime tyre for practice, sets that have to be relinquished ahead of free practice three. Each driver will be supplied two sets of the prime, medium tyres for use as per regulation and this data will help Pirelli to develop the new specification of tyre which will, once again, be introduced at the British Grand Prix at the end of June and remain until the end of the season. The changes to the tyres are aimed at altering the construction to prevent the tread delaminating from the belt as we saw in Bahrain and Spain, returning to a more natural deflation, and the performance and wear characteristics will not be altered significantly. Also, Pirelli outlined in their statement over the testing matter that they would not be adjusting the durability of their tyres due to a lack of unanimity between the teams. This position by the teams is unsurprising given how it would benefit some and not others, most notably Red Bull and Mercedes, and erode the advantage fairly developed by teams like Ferrari and Lotus. Going to Montreal, we may hear more details regarding the investigation and position of the FIA on this matter, though its likely more will emerge at the race weekend itself and after that. Right now we can look forward to the Canadian Grand Prix, a track that rarely fails to deliver excitement, and its probable tyres will be a big focus again as the track has high-speed corners and is always rather green, even by the end of the weekends, due to its street nature. Hopefully the tyres will help to serve up the exciting action we crave and bring us another thrilling race that puts pressure back on in the championships after Monaco saw breathing space provided.