F1 News, Reports and Race Results

FIA says Renault protest over Racing Point RP20 is 'admissible'

The Styrian Grand Prix stewards have declared that a protest by Renault over certain components of Racing Point's RP20 is "admissible", with a ruling set to be handed down at a future date.

The backdrop of Renault's protest is Appendix 6 of the FIA sporting regulations, and more specifically relates to the notion of "listed parts", or parts that must be designed and manufactured by the competitor.

Renault's protest targets the Racing Point RP20's front and rear brake ducts which the French outfit believes are too similar to the same components used last year by Mercedes' W10, the car from designer Andy Green and his team took their cue to elaborate the RP20.

The legal course of action required the stewards to first determine if the protest was admissible, which they have.

Representatives of the FIA's technical department have subsequently sealed and impounded the relevant parts of cars 11 and 18 (Perez and Stroll) in order to conduct a detailed analysis.

The FIA has also asked Mercedes to provide "the front and rear brake air ducts of the Mercedes-AMG F1 W10 EQ Power+ used by the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team in the 2019 season" examination by the governing body's tech department.

"When the likely submission date of the assessment can be determined, the FIA Technical Department representative will communicate that to the Chairman of the Stewards so that the next meeting to assess the claims can be scheduled," added the FIA.

In the interim, the classification of Perez and Stroll in today's Styrian Grand Prix is "provisional" and "subject to the outcome of any decision concerning the protest".

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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.

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