The FIA announced the disqualification of both the Renault drivers from F1 Japanese GP after the protest from Racing Point.
Racing Point had lodged a complaint against Renault after the F1 Japanese GP, in relation to the ‘pre-set lap distance-dependent brake bias adjustment system’, whose hearing took place in Geneva on Wednesday, ahead of this weekend’s Mexico GP.
Both the cars of Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg was protested for an ‘alleged breach of FIA Formula One Sporting and Technical Regulations, FIA International Sporting Code regarding pre-set lap distance-dependent brake bias adjustment system’.
The initial meeting at Suzuka took in the protest and pushed it towards the FIA Technical Department, which heard from both Racing Point and Renault in the days since the grand prix. The protest was looked in as per Article 13 of the International Sporting Code.
Upon the findings from the data – while listening to the arguments made by Racing Point against it and at the same time in defence from Renault – the FIA decided to disqualify both Ricciardo and Hulkenberg from the results of the F1 Japanese GP.
The Australian finished sixth after the penalty to Charles Leclerc, while the German was 10th as the Renault drivers recovered well from a bad qualifying. However, all of their efforts seems undone due to technical irregularities.
While Racing Point protested against the brake bias system, the FIA’s test and assessment did not find any irregularities in that system. It noted Renault’s innovative solutions and exploitation of current rules but nothing illegal as per the regulations.
It cleared the team of a bigger implication but instead the FIA found the element as a driver aid, where the driver was saved from making more adjustments during the lap, which doesn’t comply with Article 27.1 of FIA Formula 1 Sporting Regulations.
The FIA, therefore, disqualified both the Renault drivers, which it agreed was a harsher penalty than any other recent decisions. The decision was taken in assessment of the gains made by the team while comparing the other rule breaks.
Renault could still appeal the decisions as the FIA has given them extra time considering the timing and unique circumstances of the hearing. They have time until 10:00 AM Central Daylight Time, the local time in Mexico City, On October 24.
If Renault doesn’t appeal, the revised will see Leclerc back in sixth with Toro Rosso’s Pierre Gasly in seventh, Racing Point’s Sergio Perez eighth with teammate Lance Stroll moving to ninth and the Top 10 rounded out by Toro Rosso’s Daniil Kvyat.
UPDATE:
Renault statement read:
“Renault F1 Team acknowledges the decision of the Stewards of the Japanese GP regarding the protest by Racing Point concerning the legality of Renault F1 Team’s braking system during the Japanese Grand Prix.
“Despite the FIA concurring with Renault that the system was entirely legal under the FIA Technical Regulations, it was judged by the stewards that the system was in breach of the FIA Sporting Regulations regarding driver aid.
“Both Renault cars were disqualified from the Japanese GP and the team loses the nine points scored. However, 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.”
FIA document for Nico Hulkenberg:
Here’s the protest story post the Japanese GP
