Renault weighs appeal of disqualification sanction

©Renault

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Renault has acknowledged its exclusion from the Japanese GP following a protest of its car's braking system and is now considering an appeal of the Stewards' decision.

The French outfit was protested by rival Racing Point which claimed the Renault used a pre-set lap distance-dependent brake-bias adjustment system on its R.S.19 that breached the FIA's technical and sporting regulations.

The FIA's investigation into the matter concluded that Renault's brake system did not breach current technical regulation.

It did however constitute a driver aid, and as such was not in compliance with the governing body's sporting regulations. Hence the exclusion of both Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg from the Japanese GP's final results.

Renault drivers excluded from Japanese GP results!

"Despite the FIA concurring with Renault that the system was entirely legal under the FIA Technical Regulations, it was judged by the stewards that the system was in breach of the FIA Sporting Regulations regarding driver aid," said Renault in a statement released late on Wednesday.

"Both Renault cars were disqualified from the Japanese Grand Prix and the team loses the nine points scored.

"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."

©Renault

Renault must file its appeal on Thursday before 10 am local time (Mexico). Its point on "variability of the associated penalties in recent cases" clearly refers to a sanction handed out to Alfa Romeo after this year's German Grand Prix.

The Swiss outfit was also found in breach of the sporting rules for the illegal use of drivers aids at the start of the race, but its drivers were hit with a 30-second time penalty rather than an exclusion from the race's results.

However, the Japanese GP stewards underscored the fact that Renault's penalty should be deemed more severe because of the relative benefits achieved by the incriminated driver aid.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.