Racing Point brake ducts: a sanction considered too lenient

Renault Although it won its case in the dispute between it and Racing Point, the Losange is not convinced by the sanction inflicted on the Silverstone team. 

Penalized with 15 points and a fine of 400 euros for using brake ducts designed mainly by Mercedes, Racing Point can however continue to install them on its RP20 on the grounds that the element itself complies with the technical regulations. 

In other words, the former Force India structure was found guilty of an infringement of sporting regulations, the result of a misinterpretation of the rules of the game. 

« We are studying the possibility of appealing, confirmed Cyril Abiteboul, main Renault team. Usually, we have 1 hour to express our intention but given the complexity of the subject, we were granted 24 hours of reflection, then 96 hours to confirm our possible call. 

We must ensure the interests of the championship but also the consistency of the sanction. We are considering appealing not the decision but the punishment ». 

The French manager is indeed satisfied with the conclusions drawn by the sports commissioners. 

« They confirmed that certain parts did not respect the sporting regulations, added Abiteboul. We talk about sportsmanship but it is indeed a technical subject which is judged by the yardstick of sporting regulations. 
 
The question of the sanction imposed can be debated because the advantage obtained thanks to these coins will be maintained throughout the season and it is not minor. Just to put things in perspective, teams spend around 20% of their aerodynamic development time, heavily restricted by the regulations, on this type of element. ». 

• McLaren strong wind, Williams et Ferrari also circumspect

The verdict in the Renault-Racing Point affair was also eagerly awaited by the other teams because they are indeed two visions of the F1 who clash. In addition, any team can decide to appeal the decision of the stewards. A possibility which cannot be ruled out for McLaren, as CEO Zak Brown appeared upset. 

« My initial reaction was that Racing Point was found guilty, scolded the American. It worries me to know that they can continue these brake ducts, deemed illegal at the Styrian GP but still present on the car. This is confusing for fans. 

As for plagiarism, they always claimed that they copied the car using photographs. Reading the document, it is obvious that this is bullshit. From there, the entire car is placed under suspicion. 

This is perhaps the tip of the iceberg, a starting point to see what really happened because I think it is not healthy for the sport. This generates many more questions than answers. We're going to have to go through this really quickly and understand how the appeals process works to see if this is something we want to participate in. ». 

Claire Williams, whose car uses the same Mercedes engine as the Racing Point, preferred “ bite your tongue » rather than expressing its opinion on the subject but recognizes that the Grove team, which always defends its independence with pride and panache, could also appeal. 

Same reflection on the side of Ferrari where Mattia Binotto questions the severity of the sanction. The story does not lack irony when we know that at the start of the season it was the Scuderia which was in the eye of the storm and under fire from its opponents after the conclusion of a private agreement and secret with the FIA ​​about its 2019 engine.