Racing Point reprimanded for continued use of controversial brake ducts

Nicolas Quarles van Ufford
Sunday 9 August 2020 17:06 - Updated: 17:21

Racing Point has again been reprimanded by the FIA for running illegal rear brake ducts at the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix.

On Thursday, the FIA announced its verdict that the Racing Point rear brake ducts had been predominantly designed by Mercedes and not the team itself. This is a breach of regulations and the team was fined €400,000 and docked 15 constructors' championship points.

The decision also confirmed the team were permitted to continue running the part in 2020, but that it would receive a reprimand at each grand prix in which it did so.

Racing Point ran the part at the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix and were summoned to the steward's office post-race to receive the expected reprimand.

The official FIA decision document read: "The Stewards ordered the Technical Delegate to inspect the Brake Ducts of the BWT Racing Point F1 Team Car # 18 and Car #27.

"His report concluded that the Brake Ducts on the cars are probably of the same design as the Brake Ducts used at the previous three Grand Prix. The Stewards then summoned the Team Representative of Racing Point, who confirmed in writing that the Brake Ducts are of the same design as those used at the previous three Grand Prix.

"On Wednesday 5 August, 2020 a Special Panel of Stewards was formed by the authorities that appointed the Stewards to the previous three Grand Prix to hear together the protests lodged by Renault DP World F1 Team against the cars of BWT Racing Point F1 Team. The Stewards have taken notice of the decision in Document 4 (including the note in Document 5) of the Special Panel.

"The Stewards of the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix believe that is important for the orderly conduct of the sport that the interpretation of the regulations by the stewards be reasonably consistent. The Stewards therefore join the decision of the Special Panel of Stewards and incorporate herein by reference, their findings of fact, reasoning and the reasoning behind their choice of penalties. This present decision should be read as entirely consistent with and drawing the same conclusions as Decision Document 4 (incl. Doc. 5) of the Special Panel.

"The Stewards therefore find that BWT Racing Point F1 Team is in Breach of Appendix 6 of the 2020 FIA F1 Sporting Regulations and order a Reprimand for the Team, operating Car 18 and Car 27."

Renault, McLaren, Williams, Ferrari and Racing Point have all lodged an intention to appeal the FIA's initial penalty for Racing Point. They will have until Wednesday morning to make a formal appeal.

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