Renault submits protest against Racing Point cars
- Published on 12 Jul 2020 19:12
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- By: Fergal Walsh
Renault has formally lodged a protest against both Racing Point cars following the conclusion of the Styrian Grand Prix.
The stewards have summoned both Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll, as well as team representatives to a meeting at 19:20 local time.
Racing Point's cars have been the subject of controversy this year, as it features a noticeable likeness to Mercedes' 2019 title-winning W10.
Since then, the car has frequently been referred to as 'The Pink Mercedes', showing strong pace at the opening two rounds of the 2020 season at the Red Bull Ring.
The Silverstone-based squad has persisted that its car does not breach any regulations in place.
Renault argues that Racing Point's car do no fall in line with regulations that state: "A competitor shall, in respect of the Listed Parts to be used in its cars in Formula One, only use Listed Parts which are designed by it."
In a short statement, Renault said: “We confirm that Renault DP World F1 Team has submitted a request to the Stewards of the Event for clarification on the legality of the Racing Point RP20.
“We have no further comment on this matter until the Stewards have arrived at a decision.”
Earlier this year, McLaren issued its satisfaction that the car was legal, with team principal Andreas Seidl stating there was “no basis for a protest”.
Renault has already hit out at Racing Point for its philosophy over the car's development.
Speaking in April, the team's managing director Cyril Abiteboul said: "The whole question is whether it's possible to do such an accurate job that works so well solely on the basis of public information?"
"I won't go any further at this stage, but it is certainly a question we're pondering."
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Replies (9)
Login to replyManto02
Posts: 93
I don't think it will be possible to go any further without proofs. But come on, if a team can copy the chassis of another team and make such a good car why would the others invest money in research trying to make a good car?
Snooky
Posts: 121
Makes sense for RP not to invest so much money in developing their own car ahead of the ‘22 regulation change, they’ll save money this year and next year. Having said that most teams start developing next years car mid season, are we really meant to be believe they developed a mid season looking Merc ‘19 in 8/9 months from photos alone? I know F1 designers are the best but still this surprises me
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Inleds they wholesale plagiarized the 2019 Merc car, they did invest money, research the car and developed a car very similar to what Merc' hade, and that is legal.
Snooky
Posts: 121
@calle what renaults protest surrounds is not the whole car, but parts that can’t be bought from another team, in this case the break ducts. Merc have been ordered to provide theirs from last year and RP’s have been taken by the FIA as well. Smart of them to go down this route rather than suggesting the whole car is a copy, they’ve specified parts that should not be identical unless provided by Merc as too much inner detail a photo would not provide
f1ski
Posts: 726
teams copy each other in the details all season long. Didn't renault hire away from RBR and MB . Watching today they should really regret not keeping Ricciardo. No whining just great driving. It won't be so peaceful with Alonso.
Manto02
Posts: 93
Yes but have you ever seen two cars that similar? You can copy the exterior but not the concept and how the car works
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Actually, you can do both. RP already possess Merc' tech since before, so while it is laborious, it isn't a stretch for them to replicate the 2019 car using imaging and data like telemetry.
Pistonhead
Posts: 556
Just shows how high the stakes are - with big corporates determining to support F1 teams (just), the need to perform is higher than ever - I think we'll see more protests this year than before - loving it !
F1todayfan101
Posts: 120
Boo hoo hoo hoo, another team who are half our size and have a 1/5th of the facilities are doing a better job than us because they were smart enough to copy the winners as best they could. Dry your eyes Renualt.... make a fast car or gtfo.