Red Bull may rebel against FIA rules

Formula One teams angry over Mercedes reprimand.

FIA’s verdict has achieved little and led to further discord amidst Formula One teams, namely Red Bull and Ferrari. PHOTO: AFP

International Automobile Federation’s (FIA) lenient penalty against Mercedes, after they were found guilty of tyre-testing, may have given cause for rebellion in Formula One, according to ESPNF1.

As stated by The Times, Red Bull were willing to openly defy the rules put forth by the FIA. As a matter of fact, the general mood among the teams in the sport has been that of anger because Mercedes scraped by with just a reprimand after pulling off a three-day testing in Spain. Additionally, they were being made to miss the young drivers’ test which was not a fitting punishment considering their transgression. Both Red Bull and Ferrari have spoken out about their disapproval on the matter to Formula One President Bernie Ecclestone.

Furthermore, the newspaper claimed Red Bull were willing to go against FIA’s authority and receive the same reprimand by staging an illegal testing of their own as it would give them more advantage than being part of the young drivers’ test.

Even though Ferrari are not expected to go to such lengths, a spokesperson stated, “How can a reprimand be enough to punish a team that struggled at the Spanish Grand Prix, tested and then won in Monaco?


“No one knew about the test, yet the tribunal does not seem to have investigated why not and what exactly went on.

“No wonder the teams are angry. They have had enough of the FIA. The threats might be empty at the moment but the crunch is coming and everyone wonders when and how. Maybe this is the time.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 25th, 2013.

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