Renault launch FIA protest against Racing Point

Jamie Woodhouse
Racing Point PA

Renault protest Racing Point after Styrian GP.

Renault has lodged an official protest against both Racing Point cars following the Styrian Grand Prix.

They report that the protest is related to an “alleged breach of Art. 2.1, 3.2, Appendix 6 Paragraph 1, 2(a) and 2(c) of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations 2020 during the race.”

Article 2.1 reads as following: “All drivers, competitors and officials participating in the Championship undertake, on behalf of themselves, their employees, agents and suppliers, to observe all the provisions as supplemented or amended of the International Sporting Code (the Code), the Formula One Technical Regulations (the Technical Regulations) and the present Sporting Regulations together referred to as “the Regulations”.

Article 3.2 states that “Competitors must ensure that their cars comply with the conditions of eligibility and safety throughout practice and the race.”

Renault has been highly vocal about Racing Point’s RP20 even before the season began, with the car being dubbed the “pink Mercedes” due to its similarities to the W10 of 2019.

And it seems this is what forms the basis of the protest.

Appendix 6, paragraph 1 rules that “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.

Under Paragraph 2a, a competitor “retains the exclusive right to use the Listed Parts in Formula One so long as it competes in Formula One.

Finally, Paragraph 2c reads: “In the case of the Outsourcing of design, such third party shall not be a competitor or a party that directly or indirectly designs Listed Parts for any competitor.”

Representatives of Racing Point have been called to appear before the stewards at 7:20pm local time in Austria.

Follow us on Twitter @Planet_F1 and like our Facebook page.