<p>Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes team and tyre supplier Pirelli could face heavy sanctions after Formula One's governing body summoned them to an international tribunal for allegedly carrying out a 'secret' test in breach of the rules. <br /><br />The governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) said in a statement on Wednesday that they had decided to act after conducting a full enquiry into the test that took place in Spain between May 15-17. <br /><br />Mercedes used their current race car with Britain's 2008 world champion Hamilton and Germany's Nico Rosberg -- the winner from pole position in Monaco on May 26 -- sharing the driving over three days. <br /><br />Rivals have accused the team of gaining a significant competitive advantage from the test and behaving in an 'underhand' fashion. </p>.<p><br />Pirelli dispute that, saying they were testing tyres for 2014 and Mercedes did not know what compounds were being used. <br /><br />Article 22.1 of Formula One's 2013 sporting regulations bars in-season testing with "cars which conform substantially with the current Formula One technical regulations in addition to those from the previous or subsequent year." <br /><br />However, Pirelli are allowed, under their commercial contract, a number of 1,000km tests and have previously used a 2010 Renault which they say is some four seconds a lap slower than the 2013 machinery. <br /><br />Ferrari, who conducted a similar 1,000 km test at the same Barcelona circuit in April but with a 2011 car and test driver, faced no further action because they were not deemed to have contravened the regulations. <br /><br />No time was set for the tribunal, which could impose stiff sanctions against Mercedes if they are found to have acted illegally. <br /><br />Already under fire for their quick-wearing 2013 tyres, Pirelli have been pressing to be allowed to test with more up-to-date cars to that they can prepare for the significant challenge of a new V6 engine next year. <br /><br />The Italian company has yet to agree a contract with the teams and FIA for 2014, however, which has added to their frustration. </p>
<p>Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes team and tyre supplier Pirelli could face heavy sanctions after Formula One's governing body summoned them to an international tribunal for allegedly carrying out a 'secret' test in breach of the rules. <br /><br />The governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) said in a statement on Wednesday that they had decided to act after conducting a full enquiry into the test that took place in Spain between May 15-17. <br /><br />Mercedes used their current race car with Britain's 2008 world champion Hamilton and Germany's Nico Rosberg -- the winner from pole position in Monaco on May 26 -- sharing the driving over three days. <br /><br />Rivals have accused the team of gaining a significant competitive advantage from the test and behaving in an 'underhand' fashion. </p>.<p><br />Pirelli dispute that, saying they were testing tyres for 2014 and Mercedes did not know what compounds were being used. <br /><br />Article 22.1 of Formula One's 2013 sporting regulations bars in-season testing with "cars which conform substantially with the current Formula One technical regulations in addition to those from the previous or subsequent year." <br /><br />However, Pirelli are allowed, under their commercial contract, a number of 1,000km tests and have previously used a 2010 Renault which they say is some four seconds a lap slower than the 2013 machinery. <br /><br />Ferrari, who conducted a similar 1,000 km test at the same Barcelona circuit in April but with a 2011 car and test driver, faced no further action because they were not deemed to have contravened the regulations. <br /><br />No time was set for the tribunal, which could impose stiff sanctions against Mercedes if they are found to have acted illegally. <br /><br />Already under fire for their quick-wearing 2013 tyres, Pirelli have been pressing to be allowed to test with more up-to-date cars to that they can prepare for the significant challenge of a new V6 engine next year. <br /><br />The Italian company has yet to agree a contract with the teams and FIA for 2014, however, which has added to their frustration. </p>