And pay the forfeits for breaking numerous engine contracts? You need to stop the reading the unclean web journo sites, and stick to reading factual ones.Quote:
Originally Posted by dj_bytedisaster
And pay the forfeits for breaking numerous engine contracts? You need to stop the reading the unclean web journo sites, and stick to reading factual ones.Quote:
Originally Posted by dj_bytedisaster
Mercedes has exit-clauses in their contracts. In fact they could withdraw immediately, because Bernard E is being prosecuted. They've threatened to use them several times since the whole testing fiasco was unearthed. Where I come from, that's called blackmail, but maybe it's just normal business practice these days and I'm just not up-to-date.Quote:
Originally Posted by SGWilko
Exit clauses that cost them money. BCE being convicted has the potential to cause many in F1 embarrasement, and would be a legitimate reason to have no choice than to quit.Quote:
Originally Posted by dj_bytedisaster
To set an example, hence my reference to BAR.Quote:
Originally Posted by SGWilko
Merc threaten to leave, there are question marks over Pirelli's commitment and there's a rumour that we could get FIA supplied tyres because manufacturers have shown little desire to work in F1.
And who can blame them fro not wanting to be a tire supplier. The politics of F1 has been absurd for years.
Yes, but in those days megalomaniac max was judge, jury and executioner......Quote:
Originally Posted by wedge
This verdict is devastating for F1. For a team as important as Ferrari this is basically carte blanche. Commit any breach of rules you like, as long as you have the clout to threaten the tribunal with withdrawal.
Can you check the taps Mark? I think the Kool Aid tanks been leaking into the forum again :rolleyes:
Plus ca change, plus ca meme choseQuote:
Originally Posted by dj_bytedisaster
Or as the Pet Shop Boys sang (Maranello theme song) 'I've been getting away with it all my life'
If I was Red Bull or Ferrari, I'd pack up my stuff and test the raw crap out of the cars till the cows come home. Then I'd do an innocent face and say I only acted in good faith because it was ok for Mercedes, too and then I'd send my people on vacation when the young drivers test was supposed to be conducted.
You mean like McLaren only getting a fine yet still allowed to fight for WDC with illegal cars.Quote:
Originally Posted by SGWilko
Were they illegal?Quote:
Originally Posted by wedge
I think they got away quite lightly, but in the end maybe sense prevailed
What a farce. I'm beginning to wonder if this wasn't all some kind of publicity stunt. Every driver I've heard says they would've gained useful and significant information from such a test, and the test was clearly a breach of the rules. punishment? No sprinkles on your ice cream.
I am glad I try on the whole to be positive.
Its suprising to me that something more wasnt done, but I am not sure if the FIA really wanted to cause to many waves due to the nature of the team.
This might lead to Pirelli being eased out before too long though.
Like yourself I was surprised but I think it's best for the sport to deal with this quickly and move on IMO. I was expecting their constructors points to be docked at the very least.Quote:
Originally Posted by steveaki13
That would have been a major step and not one they could take lightly. So i think its best from their point of view.
OK, OK, I may be wrong on that one but the point is was the punishment proportional to the crime?Quote:
Originally Posted by SGWilko
We now know the FIA is toothless when it comes to corporate miscreants, and no the punishment was not proportional to the crime.
Like most bureaucracies, they do little that makes rational sense.
Quote:
Originally Posted by steveaki13
What "sense" are you talking about? They blatantly cheated and gained an advantage. The punishment was nonexistent. Sense? none of it makes sense.
Liar merceds claims that it did the test in good faith. If it was in good faith why did they hide the upcomming test date from their own drivers? why was their test driver not the guy doing the test to begin with? why did they disguise their drivers with unmarked helmets? Why were people who tried to view the test taking place "escorted" from the area by security guards? This is like someone breaking into your home in the middle of the night wearing a ski mask, steals your drapes, and when caught later confronted in court they say they just wanted to dust the drapes.
How did Merceds [sic] drivers' know when to turn up then - happy little accident?Quote:
Originally Posted by vhatever
They asked permission, which was granted, not only by Whitebait, but by the FIA lawyers too. As it was a Pirelli test, it was up o Pirelli to notify all other teams.
Now, to balance the situation, Mercedes must miss a test, where they would have had a very good opportunity to work on solving their tyre overheating issues, as the test is with current Pirelli tyres.
The drivers only found out about the test shortly before the test date , yet the test was planned for weeks prior. Lewis had to catch a plane back from the USA just to make it in time for the test. Of course they didn't want to risk themselves one of their drivers talking about the testing BEFORE it happened. So they waited until the last possible minute to minimize the risk.Quote:
Originally Posted by SGWilko
The diea merceds is hard done in by the punishment or the teams are "equal" by that pathetic slap on the wrist is a joke not even dignifying anything more than a LOL.
Good grief, vhatever. You managed a post without insulting someone...
Do you have any fact that substantiate your claim that Lewis had to fly back from America? Where have you gotten the information from that the drivers were told only days prior? Is that your opinion or established fact?
LOLQuote:
Originally Posted by vhatever
Hamilton did go to the US between the Spanish Grand Prix and the tyre test, but it was apparently for a sponsor event that had presumably been arranged long before, so it doesn't necessarily indicate he was unaware of the planned test when he made the trip.Quote:
Originally Posted by dj_bytedisaster
The bit of controversy that did arise from it was the photo that he took in Orlando on the Tuesday and then tweeted on the Wednesday, after he'd returned to Spain.