Renault F1 Disqualified From Japanese Grand Prix Results

The Renault F1 team has been disqualified from the classification of the recent Japanese Grand Prix, meaning it will lose the nine points it gained following Daniel Ricciardo’s sixth and Nico Hulkenberg’s and 10th-place finish.

Following the race, Racing Point launched a protest against the French car manufacturer for an alleged breach of the Sport and Technical Regulations and the FIA International Sporting Code due to a ‘pre-set, automated brake bias system’ being used by Renault’s cars.

According to Racing Point, the system was visible through onboard camera footage showing the brake balance display of the Renault drivers’ steering wheels changing without any input from the drivers.

Also Read: Renault F1 Makes It Official, Signs Esteban Ocon For 2020

The FIA examined the ECUs and steering wheels used by Ricciardo and Hulkenberg after the race and determined that the described system was not pre-set nor lap distance-dependent as alleged by Racing Point. They also concluded that Renault used “innovative solutions to exploit certain ambiguities” but were not in breach of the F1 Technical Regulations.

However, Renault was found to have breached F1’s Sporting Regulations relating to driver aids, which state a driver must drive the car alone and unaided. Stewards found the brake bias system meant the drivers were saved from making a number of adjustments during a lap.

“Considering the subjectivity of the qualification of a system as a driver aid and the variability of the associated penalties in recent cases, Renault F1 Team will consider its next course of action within the timeframe laid out by the FIA,” Renault said after learning of the disqualification. Which may, or may not, mean that it will lodge an appeal against the decision.