Looks like Pirelli have got a good case for not being a part of this, they are claiming to be a contractor for the sport not actually 'participating' in the sport as a 'competitor'. The tribunal is a part of the sporting authority, under the FIA and as such they are not part of it.
Mercedes seem to have done their homework aswell. They are claiming that they were working under Pirelli, so it was Pirelli's test, not Mercedes. Mercedes were just testing for Pirelli.
Clever stuff, although I fully expect the court to be very biased in FIA's favour.
I certainly wouldn't be surprised to see Pirelli sue the FIA after this. Pirelli have had to make tyres that disintegrate, not exactly the best advertisement for them, but hey they took that risk. Now they are having their name dragged through the mud about breaking rules which they didn't break (they have a commercial contract which they haven't broken any rules).
Chris.
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