Renault have declared they will consider all options including appealing their disqualification from the Japanese Grand Prix.
On Wednesday, the FIA threw out Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg from the final results at Suzuka after a protest by Racing Point alleging the French manufacturer was running a pre-set automated brake-bias system.
In their ruling, the stewards explained that while the system did not breach any technical regulations, it did fall foul of the sporting regulations regarding the use of driver aids.
However, in a statement released later, Renault suggested they would fight the grounds of the disqualification.
“Renault F1 Team acknowledges the decision of the Stewards regarding the protest by SportPesa Racing Point F1 Team concerning the legality of Renault F1 Team’s braking system during the Japanese Grand Prix,” it began.
“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.”
It is understood Renault has until 10am on Thursday in Mexico to decide whether to lodge their appeal.
As for Racing Point’s case, more information came to light about how they came to know about the system being used by the Enstone-based outfit.
In the FIA’s statement announcing their decision, it is revealed a former Renault employee informed the team of what they believed to be the system in place.
It is for this reason that some of the allegations Racing Point made were proved to be untrue such as the system being pre-set based on the number of laps.
Although, the investigation, which centred around the ECU, steering wheel and rear brake controller, was still sufficient to determine that the brake bias was able to adjust automatically, thus aiding the driver who should only be responsible for any changes manually.
The FIA also offered a point on what is likely to be argument of Renault should they indeed decide to appeal.
In their decision, it noted that the disqualification is a more severe punishment for being found in breach of Article 27.1, which states a driver must control the car alone and aided, but the potential advantage from the system Renault was running is greater than more recent cases.