Ferrari's website column mocks 'rap on knuckles' for Mercedes' rules breach
Mercedes were reprimanded and ordered to miss a three-day young driver test in July after the tribunal found they had illegally tested for Pirelli with their current car in Spain last month.
Ferrari mocked the outcome of Formula One’s international tribunal on Friday with a website column suggesting Mercedes had got away with no more than a gentle rap on the knuckles for breaking the rules.
Mercedes were reprimanded and ordered to miss a three-day young driver test in July after the tribunal found they had illegally tested for Pirelli with their current car in Spain last month.
In their defence at Thursday’s hearing, Mercedes had highlighted the treatment given to Ferrari who tested in April with Pirelli but avoided any charges because they had used a 2011 car.
“Today we learned that even if one is guilty, and in this case that is an indisputable and verified fact, there is always a way of muddling through as best one can,” it said in the column headed “Crime and Punishment (but make it a light one)”.
“One only has to suggest to the judge what the penalty should be and even better, why not make it something light like a rap across the knuckles?”