FIA rejects Haas complaint against Force India

Haas F1 Team has had its complaint regarding Racing Point Force India rejected by the FIA. The American team lodged a complaint following the takeover of the rival team, claiming that this new entity could not benefit from part of the income, one of the conditions requiring in particular that the team finish in the Top 10 of the Championship Manufacturers on two of the last three seasons to get part of the payout.

Among the multitude of decisions rendered in complex legal terms, the commissioners found that Racing Point Force India did fit the definition of a manufacturer, contrary to the opinion of Haas which based its complaint on the fact that the VJM11s had been carried out by the former entity Sahara Force India.

“The old team has no longer been a competitor since August 16. It relinquished its rights and abilities to enter two cars in any Grand Prix in the 2018 season. Force India Formula One Team no longer fit the definition of manufacturer and competitor when all of its assets were sold. The stewards therefore decided that Racing Point Force India F1 Team met the definition of a manufacturer since August 23. »

Günther Steiner, Team Principal of Haas F1 Team, announced in the paddock of the Abu Dhabi GP that the American team considered going further in the event of an unfavorable opinion from the FIA.