"Ferrari tests under scrutiny"

According to "Autosport", June 27, page 23, much of Mercedes defence testimony focused on the fact that the 2 Pirelli Barcelona tests carried out by Ferrari had some aspects that were very similar to those Mercedes were being "tried" for.

Mercedes stated that although it is widely accepted that teams are allowed to run two year old cars as they like, under the strictest definitions of Article 22 of the Sporting Regulations, a 2011 car, "conforms substantially" with the regulations.
Also Ferrari had been no more forthcoming about their tests than had Mercedes.

Furthermore, Mercedes claimed that Filipe Massa had been involved and that run data from the test showed Ferrari had not only exceeded the 1000Kms limit, but had also conducted its own, "balance checks" that were not part of the Pirelli programme.

Mercedes also revealed (they were VERY busy ) that Ferrari head tyre technician Hirohide Hamashima had queried tyre data directly with Max Damiani, Pirelli's F1 chief engineer co-ordinator to find out what had been run!

Readers will be unsurprised to find ferrari remain adamant that they did nothing wrong.
Ferrari stated that with a 2 year old car, "you can run when you like, where you like, with any driver you like, dressed how you like, inviting who you like."

Initially, that seems reasonable, however, Autosport states, "The Tribunal was not totally convinced - aware that it did not have the mandate to investigate the matter further but acknowledging the door could be left open for another competitor to complain".

Autosport further states that had Mercedes been punished heavily for its test there was every possibility they would have responded, protesting ferrari,
"opening the way for other teams to get dragged into the controversy".

So whiter than white Ferrari seems to have been effectively shut up on the matter, at least for the time being.

What a shame though, I would have loved somebody to challenge Ferrari's actions.
No wonder they have been (for them! )so quiet.