Renault lodge protest against Racing Point RP20 design

Formula 1

Renault lodge protest against Racing Point RP20 design

The French manufacturer is seeking clarification from the FIA

Sam Hall

Sunday 12 July 2020 19:34 Updated: 19:42

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Renault has launched an official protest against Racing Point, alleging the team has breached regulations concerning the use of 'listed parts'.

Renault had hinted ahead of the season it may elect to protest the RP20, a car the team has freely admitted was designed using photographs of the title-winning 2019 Mercedes W10, which led to it being nicknamed 'the pink Mercedes'.

Following the double-points finish in the Styrian Grand Prix from Racing Point, in particular, with Sergio Perez climbing from 17th to sixth, the French manufacturer has made good on its word.

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The protest cites specific areas of the FIA's Sporting Regulations, notably Appendix 6, Paragraph 1,2(a) and 2(c).

Regulations state:"1: A competitor shall, in respect of the Listed Parts to be used in its cars in Formula One, only use Listed Parts which are designed by it.

"2. The obligation to design and use Listed Parts shall not prevent a competitor from Outsourcing the design and/or manufacture of any Listed Parts to a third party (including an Associate of such competitor) provided that:

"a) It retains the exclusive right to use the Listed Parts in Formula One so long as it competes in Formula One.

"c) In the case of the Outsourcing of design, such third party shall not be a competitor or a party that directly or indirectly designs Listed Parts for any competitor."

Listed parts include the bodywork, roll structures, front impact structures, the survival cell and brake ducts.

Ahead of the season, the FIA looked into the design process of the RP20, and deemed the car legal.

In a brief statement following the FIA summons, Renault said: "We confirm that Renault DP World F1 Team has submitted a request to the Stewards of the Event for clarification on the legality of the Racing Point RP20.

"We have no further comment on this matter until the Stewards have arrived at a decision."