Renault launch protest against Racing Point cars

Following the Styrian Grand Prix, it has been confirmed by the FIA that the protest put forward by Renault regarding the Racing Point RP20 is admissible and have impounded their brake ducts.

The Racing Point RP20 is heavily based on last years Mercedes’ W10, and despite this, they have defended their design since it was first revealed at winter testing and was dubbed the “Pink Mercedes” by journalists, other teams and drivers (including Lando Norris in a recent Sky Sports F1 interview).

The Stewards’ response:

”With regards to front and rear brake ducts used on cars 11 and 18, the Stewards summoned and heard from the team representatives of both teams and a representative of the FIA Technical Department.

"The Stewards determined that the protest met all requirements specified in Article 13 of the FIA International Sporting Code and is, therefore, admissible.

"The FIA Technical Department representative was directed to seal and impound the relevant parts of cars 11 and 18 in preparation for conducting a detailed analysis of those pieces.

"The representative is further directed to provide a detailed report to the Stewards with the findings and to include an assessment that matches those findings against the alleged infringements outlined in the protest.

"The representative is authorised in the name of the Stewards to call upon such outside technical assistance, including representatives of the following teams: - Renault DP World F1 Team, BWT Racing Point F1 Team, Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team - in the conduct of their assessment.

"Furthermore, the Stewards ordered the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team to provide the front and rear brake air ducts of the Mercedes-AMG F1 W10 EQ Power+ used by the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team in the 2019 season to the FIA Technical Department for examination.”

With the Racing Point cars finishing 5th and 6th, it would be a huge blow for the Silverstone based team if they were to forfeit the 14 world championship points picked up by Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll in the Styrian Grand Prix after an incredible race from both drivers.