Formula One Tyre Scandal: Mercedes happy to explain

Mercedes have welcomed the opportunity to explain their allegedly illegal tyre test with Pirelli after being summoned to appear before the sport’s governing body, the FIA.

The German team is under investigation for a potential breach of Formula One’s sporting regulations in running a 2013 race-spec car in a test for Pirelli following this year’s Spanish Grand Prix.

That led to a protest from Red Bull and Ferrari at the Monaco Grand Prix where the stewards, after an investigation, passed the matter to the International Motoring Federation (FIA).

The FIA announced from Paris yesterday that, as a result of their inquiries, Mercedes had been called to face the International Tribunal.

In their own statement today, Mercedes said the tribunal hearing would be a perfect opportunity to explain.

The statement said: “Mercedes-Benz acknowledges the decision of the FIA to take the matter of the Pirelli Test before the International Tribunal.

“We welcome the opportunity to explain the full facts of the Pirelli test in an open and transparent manner at the International Tribunal.

“Sporting integrity is of primary importance to Mercedes-Benz and we have the utmost confidence in the due process of the FIA.”

No date has yet been set for the tribunal hearing, but under FIA statutes it could take up to 45 days for a meeting to be scheduled.