Red Bull team principal Christian Horner reacted to the FIA’s punishment of Mercedes by pointing out that teams prefer having the opportunity to use their race drivers in tests.

But he stopped short of criticising the International Tribunal’s decision to ban Mercedes from the Young Drivers’ Test following their disputed test for Pirelli in May.

“It is always preferential to test with race drivers rather than test drivers; however the penalty is not for us to decide,” said Horner. “It was for the tribunal to decide and they have made their decision.”

Horner, who was present at yesterday’s hearing, said “The tribunal had all the facts presented to them in a fair manner yesterday and made their decision.”

“We raised the protest as we wanted clarity on whether you are allowed to test in-season with a current car, as we believe this was a breach of the regulations.”

Horner added the tribunal made it clear Mercedes had breached the Sporting Regulations and the International Sporting Code by conducting the test.

Mercedes and Ferrari Pirelli tyre test row

Image ?�?� Red Bull/Getty