Racing Point adamant Renault protest is 'misconceived'

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Racing Point has responded to Renault's protest of its controversial RP20, calling the French outfit's complaints "misconceived and poorly informed".

Renault lodged an official protest with the Styrian Grand Prix stewards after Sunday's race, targeting specific components of Racing Point's 2020 car which, Renault argues, are just too similar to identical parts on last year's championship winning Mercedes W10.

Renault's protest centers around the front and rear brake ducts of the RP20 which appear as identical to those featured on the 2019 Mercedes, and yet, as listed parts as specified by the FIA's regulations, the elements are required to be designed and manufactured by the competitor, or Racing Point in this case.

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

"BWT Racing Point F1 Team is extremely disappointed to see its results in the Styrian Grand Prix questioned by what it considers to be a misconceived and poorly informed protest," a Racing Point statement read.

"Any and all suggestion of wrongdoing is firmly rejected and the team will take all steps necessary to ensure the correct application of the regulations to the facts.

"Prior to the start of the season, the team co-operated fully with the FIA and satisfactorily addressed all questions regarding the origins of the design of the RP20.

"The team is confident that the protest will be dismissed once it has presented its response."

Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll finished respectively P6 and P7 in the Styrian Grand Prix, with the Mexican charging impressively through the field after starting 17th.

Earlier this year, Renault F1 boss Cyril Abiteboul equated Racing Point's RP20 to a "forged piece of artwork".

Historically, there's a dose of bad blood between the two midfields teams that was sparked when Racing successfully protested at the 2019 Japanese Grand Prix Renault's pre-set automated brake bias system, a complaint that led to the disqualification from the race of the Enstone cars.

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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.