F1 News: Racing Point brake ducts’ verdict is expected to be out this week after Renault’s multiple protests against it to the FIA.
The much-awaited verdict of the Racing Point ‘Pink Mercedes’ legality is expected to come out this week. This after Renault had protested against it for the second time after the Hungarian Grand Prix.
As per the French constructor, Racing Point obtained their brake ducts from Mercedes ‘illegally, without authorization’. The Silverstone-based team Racing Point having been using the brake ducts in their RP20s this season.
Racing Point’s case for the defence
Racing Point has maintained that they obtained the parts in 2019 when the brake ducts were not a ‘listed part’. The parts which do not come FIA’s ‘listed parts’ regulations can be bought directly from the engine supplier.
In this case, Racing Point legally obtained the parts in the discussion from Mercedes. This is what Racing Point had to say after Renault’s second protest to the FIA.
“Prior to the start of the season, the team co-operated with the FIA and satisfactorily addressed all questions regarding the origins of the designs of the RP20.”
Racing Point’s CTO Andy Green has confirmed that FIA has received all their defence documents before the British Grand Prix. Green, a Formula 1 veteran is convinced they will get clearance from the authorities.
He also added that FIA had checked RP20’s brake ventilation earlier this year, and are aware of it. He specifically mentioned FIA technology director Nikolas Tombazis.
“The protest should be dismissed. We followed the rules and used drawings and data to show why the brake vents of the two cars are so similar. Nikolas must have forgotten that.”
Renault’s case for choosing brake ducts
Renault was expected to be a direct challenger to Racing Point for the Top 5 in the Constructors Standings this season. But they are currently on 32 points, 10 points shy of Racing Point, who are in 5th. Racing Point’s superior speed has alarmed the French automobile giants, leading to them lodging the double protests.
Read more: Updated Driver’s and Constructors’ Standings after the British Grand Prix
Renault has chosen the brake ducts as the verdict on this could have repercussions for all teams in F1, present and future. It will set the course for a clash of ideology between teams which design new concepts, and others who ‘copy’.
