Mercedes breaks 'gentleman's agreement' - report

Belgium - A spat has reportedly broken out behind the scenes between title protagonists Mercedes and Ferrari.

Auto Bild reports that Mercedes surprised its Italian rival by launching a new engine specification at Spa Francorchamps.

0.9-litre rule

The controversy surrounds the recent 'oil in fuel' saga, with the FIA having declared that as of the next race at Monza, every engine can only consume a maximum of 0.9 litres.

But Mercedes, Ferrari and the other engine manufacturers had reportedly entered into a 'gentleman's agreement' that any upgrade released before Monza would comply with the new 0.9 litre rule.

However, it emerges that Mercedes' brand new engine at Spa was in fact upgraded according to the existing rules allowing 1.2 litres of oil consumption -- therefore breaking the 'gentleman's agreement'.

"Ferrari asked before Spa if any teams were planning new engines, but the answer was no," reported Germany's Sport Bild.

Auto Bild said the FIA has confirmed that Mercedes did not breach any official rule.

Mercedes breaks 'gentleman's agreement' - report | Wheels24

 

If this is true, that's pretty slimy. And for those who might say, well they didn't break the rules so what are you complaining about, Mercedes never should have agreed in the first place if they wanted to have the option to upgrade the engine in this manner.

 

Interesting. Any proof of this "gentleman's agreement"?

 

Hmmm. Poor form from Mercedes if the gentleman's agreement was indeed made.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

yes it is Rob. I don't remember seeing nor hearing about this. IF there was one, I don't

know why the Scuderia would agree to this. It does look slimy for the Merc's.

 

If there really was an agreement, it shows some desparation on Mercedes part and how they behave when they do not have a built in domination like the last 3 years.

 

Yeah the agreement was discussed.

Well done Mercedes, you continue to make a shambles of F1.

Truly well deserved pole also.

 

How can you say that??? Mercedes is the only honorable F1 team in history because they have no No.1 driver but allow them to race
Unlike Ferrari they do not need tricks to win like slipstream or team orders

Maybe there is something like karma and that engine grenades sooner or later...

 

Nothing is fair in love and war... and motor racing !

 

My Sarcastometer is going off.

 

I am surprised to hear such a facile remark from you, the one who constantly told us how things where better in the past...I think there was a time when your statement was not true in Motor Racing but those times are certainly gone...At least there was a time when an agreement was still an agreement...But it seems that we came all that way that we are not surprised anymore that they do not care about what they said yesterday. But at least they could stop playing quite the sportsmen, let´s hope Ferrari can wipe that superior grin out of Totos face this year...As soon as the pure domination is gone, they will show their true face

 

A gentleman's agreement doesn't hold much water in a court of law, or the FIA.

We'll just have to see if there is an equalizing effect of this when we get to Monza.

 

No it does not, but it's a *****y way of doing business to say the least.

 

Sportsmanship is almost gone out of the window in F1 nowadays.
The rivalry between teams is too intense for it to exist.

 

It`s somehow quite funny that it used to be the Italians who cheated whenever they could.

Nowadays it`s the Germans who cheat and manipulate on every level.

From F1 to diesel engines, emissions tests, software, car registration numbers, ADAC, etc.

 

+1 and the rivalry between drivers and teammates.

 

+1

Wasnt long ago when Mercedes did an illegal tyre test, testing new parts on their car that where successful and race used immediately after, making them competitive...

It's a very anti-sporting team, despite them trying to declare the opposite. Cheats.

 

By the way . . . How would scrutineering even measure such a thing??

 

For the top teams, F1 is a business more than anything else, so it's no surprise than disreputable practices happen.

They would do almost anything and go to any length to gain an advantage.

 

All is fair in love and racing.

 

F1 cars are supposed to use 99% road car fuel. If Ferrari claims in some country 116 octane is available everywhere, and on those grounds they're able to run higher octane fuel, therefore have much more performance available, that's all and fine and dandy with you?

 

It's not for me to judge if it's OK or not. We have the FIA to deal with that.
Most top teams try to push the boundaries to gain an advantage.
Sometimes they get away with it, sometimes they don't.
I'm not throwing my hands in horror about it.

But finding "gentleman's agreement" and F1 in the same sentence makes me smile.
Call me cynical if you want.
Bernie Ecclestone called F1 the "Piranha Club" for good reason!

 

A bit cynical perhaps . . .
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So, slipstreaming is a trick? That's a bit obtuse, don't you think?

 

It's unsporting, simple as that. FIA can't/won't do **** as a gentlemans agreement is not law. I do hope Karma kicks them very hard...