FIA weighs penalties after Mercedes’ secret Barcelona tyre test
The FIA is considering disciplinary action following a covert Mercedes tyre test in Barcelona, which prompted official protests from Red Bull and Ferrari after the Monaco Grand Prix.
The FIA has confirmed it is not ruling out penalties against Mercedes after the team conducted a three-day tyre test with Pirelli at Barcelona using its 2013 Formula One car. The test, which took place before the Monaco Grand Prix, triggered formal protests from Red Bull and Ferrari, both of whom argued that the session breached F1 sporting regulations.
According to the FIA, Pirelli had requested the test and the governing body gave a conditional go-ahead, stating that every team must be offered the chance to participate. The FIA said it received no confirmation that this condition was met. In its statement, the FIA left open the possibility of referring the matter to the International Tribunal, which has the power to impose sanctions if rules have been broken.
Teams dispute fairness and process
Mercedes has maintained that it did not attempt to conceal the test and that the session was arranged at Pirelli’s request. Mercedes executive director Toto Wolff said the team had only ten days’ notice, which he argued was insufficient time to prepare any new development parts. Mercedes chairman Niki Lauda claimed team principal Ross Brawn had consulted F1 race director Charlie Whiting, who, after checking with FIA lawyers, gave approval for the test.
Pirelli stated that Ferrari was invited to take part but declined. Red Bull’s Christian Horner confirmed his team was also approached but declined, believing that such a test with a current car would contravene the regulations. Both Ferrari and Red Bull argued that any mid-season test should use a car at least two years old, as was the case when Ferrari tested with a 2010 car earlier in the season.
Potential consequences for Mercedes
The FIA’s investigation followed Nico Rosberg’s victory for Mercedes at Monaco, which intensified scrutiny over whether the Barcelona test offered the team a competitive edge. While some in the paddock suggested the win could be linked to the extra running, others, including former world champion Alain Prost, cautioned against drawing direct conclusions. The key issue for the FIA remains whether Mercedes gained an unfair advantage by participating in a tyre test not open to all teams.
If the International Tribunal finds Mercedes in breach of the rules, the range of possible penalties includes fines, points deductions, or even exclusion from races. The FIA has not specified a timeline for its decision but has made clear that disciplinary action remains on the table.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions over the interpretation of Formula One’s testing restrictions and the relationship between teams, tyre suppliers, and the sport’s governing body. For more on recent regulatory disputes, see MEPs Set to Oppose Softer EU Emissions Testing Rules.
