Mercedes face an investigation by the FIA after "being accused of taking part in an illegal tyre test," according to the BBC. Red Bull and Ferrari "lodged an official protest at the Monaco Grand Prix after discovering tyre supplier Pirelli used Mercedes to do a three-day test." FIA added that under the terms of its contract with the tire manufacturer it had allowed Pirelli to carry out some tire development testing with a team, using a current car, "provided every team is offered the opportunity to do so." Pirelli said that they are "allowed to ask teams to do up to 1,000km of testing." Rival teams are "angry because extra testing could give Mercedes a technical advantage." Mercedes said that they "sought permission from the FIA, which approved the test" (BBC, 5/27). In London, Kevin Eason wrote that "the feeling was growing that Mercedes will get to keep their trophy because the test ban did not apply directly to the Monaco event." But the FIA "pointed the finger and let it be known that Mercedes had been warned that they could not test with this season’s car and their two race drivers." Most likely, the transgression will result in "a huge fine to fatten the FIA’s coffers" and Pirelli will get "a nasty slap on the wrist" (LONDON TIMES, 5/28).
