Renault has protested the legality of Racing Point’s 2020 car for the third straight race following the British Grand Prix.
Once again, the French manufacturer is focusing its case on the brake ducts of the so-called ‘Pink Mercedes’, arguing Racing Point has breached the regulations regarding listed parts.
The move is not surprising as the FIA anticipated Renault would contest the results of each race until a verdict on their first protest, issued after the Styrian GP last month, is reached.
What is different this time though is only Lance Stroll’s car is mentioned because Nico Hulkenberg, who replaced Sergio Perez after his positive Covid-19 test, failed to start after mechanical issues pre-race.
Also Read:
- Other F1 teams would’ve followed Racing Point with Mercedes copy in 2021 – Williams
- FIA: ‘No indication’ Mercedes broke the rules regarding Racing Point car
- Brawn defends Racing Point copying Mercedes, Wolff digs at midfield teams
It is expected this will be the last protest Renault shall make, with reports the stewards are targeting Wednesday to reach their conclusion, ahead of the second race at Silverstone next weekend.
Commenting on the ongoing investigation though, Racing Point technical chief Andrew Green was only sounding more upbeat the case would be dismissed.
“We’ve been working on it the last couple of weeks,” he said. “Some documents went to the FIA at the weekend and then our defence went to the stewards a couple of days ago.
“The lawyers have been working on it intensely over the last week or so.
“We think that it should be dismissed. I think the regulations are quite clear and we’ve made that case quite clear, how the regulations are.
“We can see that we’ve done everything within the regulations. So we don’t think there’s a case to answer.”
Unlike the past two races though, Renault themselves would actually have nothing to gain in terms of points as Daniel Ricciardo finished fourth and Esteban Ocon sixth, while Lance Stroll was down in ninth.