Racing Point avoid having Hungarian GP brake ducts impounded after latest Renault protest

Racing Point

Racing Point avoid having Hungarian GP brake ducts impounded after latest Renault protest

The stewards are satisfied parts used were the same as in Austria a week ago

Ian Parkes

Sunday 19 July 2020 19:49

Racing Point has avoided having the brake ducts on its cars used during the Hungarian Grand Prix impounded and sealed by the FIA.

Following the Styrian GP a week ago, the FIA was forced to seal and impound such parts following the initial protest from Renault.

The French manufacturer opted to launch a second protest soon after the race at the Hungaroring, again citing the brake ducts and their alleged illegality in relation to the technical regulations.

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The stewards have determined, however, they do not need to follow the same course of action that was taken at the Red Bull Ring.

After initially referencing the actions that took place in Austria, an FIA statement added: "After the race of the 2020 Hungarian Grand Prix, Renault lodged an identical protest against RP [Racing Point] relating to the exact same matter.

"In order to facilitate the analysis process, RP has admitted that the relevant parts targeted by these two protests and used during both the race of the 2020 Styrian Grand Prix and the race of the 2020 Hungarian Grand Prix are the same.

"Therefore, the parties declare and agree that there is no need to proceed again with a sealing and an impounding of the relevant parts of cars 11 and 18 following the race of the 2020 Hungarian Grand Prix.

"The parties further declare and agree that the analysis to be performed by the FIA technical department representative and the report to be submitted to the stewards, as well as any evidences and discussions relating to the protest, shall also be valid to address the second protest lodged by Renault following the race of the 2020 Hungarian Grand Prix."

It is understood the hearing to address the protest will take place prior to the British Grand Prix at Silverstone from July 31 to August 2.

Racing Point team principal Otmar Szafnauer had expressed concern that continued protests would lead to his running out of brake ducts.

"Eventually we are going to run out [of brake ducts]," said Szafnauer. "Hopefully, that is not their strategy.

"Maybe they [the stewards] will be satisfied that the brake ducts we ran today were exactly the same as the ones, or the same design as the ones, that we ran previously and therefore they don't have to confiscate even further brake ducts."

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