Mercedes and Pirelli reprimanded

Mercedes have been banned from competing in the forthcoming young driver test at Silverstone
21 June 2013

Mercedes and Pirelli have avoided stern sanctions for their involvement in last month's controversial tyre test in Barcelona after the FIA announced each has been let off with a reprimand.

Mercedes have also been banned from competing in the forthcoming young driver test session to be held at Silverstone on July 17-19, the world governing body confirmed in a statement.

The announcements came the day after a specially convened International Tribunal sat in session for over six hours on Thursday to determine whether Mercedes and Pirelli violated F1's sporting regulations during the Barcelona tyre test held between May 15-17.

A statement on behalf of the tribunal read: "The Tribunal, after having heard the parties and examined their submissions, decided that: Mercedes be reprimanded; Mercedes be suspended from participating in the forthcoming "three day young driver training test"; Pirelli be reprimanded... and rejected all other and further conclusions."

The FIA, which called for the tribunal to rule on the matter following a protest from Red Bull and Ferrari ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, responded to the verdict in a separate statement in which the body expressed hope that lessons can be learned.

It read: "The FIA duly notes the decision handed down today by the FIA International Tribunal against Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team and Pirelli Tyres.

"This decision follows (i) the disciplinary proceedings instigated by the FIA, on the basis in particular of the report by the Stewards of the Monaco Grand Prix, forwarded to the FIA following the two protests made by Scuderia Ferrari Team and Red Bull Racing respectively, and (ii) the hearing that took place yesterday before the International Tribunal with the participation of all the parties concerned.

"The FIA wishes that lessons are learnt from this case and from the decision handed down. To this end, the FIA will make sure, in association with all F1 teams, that its control of the testings is strengthened.

"It is recalled that the notification of the FIA International Tribunal's decision opens to each of the parties concerned the possibility of bringing an appeal against this decision before the FIA International Court of Appeal within 7 days."

Mercedes later released a statement confirming that they would not be appealing the decision and stressing that they wanted to now put the issue behind them.

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