Racing Point stunned by the stewards' verdict, no worries at Mercedes

For weeks, Racing Point managers insisted that the RP20 was perfectly legal and that the complaint filed by Renault therefore had no basis. 

La Mercedes pink was judged to be within the technical regulations, however its design and its common DNA with the Mercedes W10 fielded last year was heavily sanctioned by the sports commissioners in charge of deciding the question: 15-point suspension at Styrian GP and 400 euro fine. 

« We thought we were completely within the rules and did nothing wrong, told Otmar Szafnauer, CEO of Racing Point, to the official website of the F1. We invited the FIA ​​to come and study the car at the factory in March and we showed them everything. 

After that, they wrote to us to tell us that everything was in order, so today's verdict is a little disappointing. Now we need to review the punishment imposed. The FIA ​​recognized that the change in category of brake ducts, from a non-listed to a listed part, had gray areas and could be interpreted in two ways. 

They took this factor into consideration when deducting points from us on the results of the Styrian Grand Prix. We now have to see if we appeal or not ». 

If Racing Point hesitates to question the decision of the sports stewards, it is because the sanction, a priori heavy, does not force the team to change the design of its controversial scoops. In the event of a new trial, the former Force India structure could lose much more...

• Wolff surprised by the verdict but not worried

In the thick and detailed 14-page report from the stewards, we also learned that a transfer of files between Mercedes and Racing Point had taken place on January 6, 2020. However, the stewards believe that this exchange did not contain additional information compared to that transmitted the previous year. 

« We are completely confident, declared Toto Wolff, already on the defensive concerning Mercedes' refusal to ratify the Concorde Agreement for the moment. We read and reread the rules. Today's verdict is extremely complex and contains a new interpretation of the rules in our view. 

We provided some information in 2019, which was on target. The January 6 delivery had no material effect because everything had been transmitted much earlier. All drawings and CAD files had been sent before this. Racing Point and we believe that everything was done in compliance with the regulations ». 

The Mercedes boss believes that the path taken by Racing Point is a win-win because it also allows Mercedes to generate new income by selling certain parts. The Austrian manager recognizes, however, that such a model can pose problems on a philosophical level.