FIA deems Racing Point protest against Renault admissible

The FIA has accepted Racing Point's protest against both of Renault's cars in the Japanese Grand Prix over its brake-bias system, deeming the claim to be admissible ahead of a full investigation.

Renault drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg were classified P6 and P10 respectively at Suzuka, but their results are now provisional after Racing Point confirmed in the aftermath of the race that it would be protesting both of the Renault cars.

The protest was lodged over an automatic brake-bias system, which the team claimed breached F1's sporting regulations, technical regulations, and the FIA International Sporting Code.

In a technical bulletin issued by the FIA, it was confirmed that Racing Point's protest was admissible - as agreed by representatives from both teams involved - and that an investigation would follow, with the ECU and steering wheels of both Renault cars being impounded.

A representative from the FIA technical department will "conduct a detailed analysis of the hardware, software, and data associated with them and, when complete, provide a written report to the Stewards with their findings, to include an assessment that matches those findings against the potential technical infringements detailed in the protest," continues the bulletin.

"The representative is authorized in the name of the Stewards to call upon such outside technical assistance, including representatives of the Renault F1 and SportPesa Racing Point F1 Teams, in the conduct of their assessment.

"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 time to assess the claims made in the protest can be scheduled."

Were Ricciardo and Hulkenberg to be disqualified from the final classification, it would promote Racing Point drivers Sergio Perez into P8 and P10 respectively, gaining the team an additional three points.

Renault has responded to the FIA's bulletin with the following statement:

"Renault F1 Team acknowledges the protest lodged by SportPesa Racing Point F1 Team concerning its brake bias system following the Japanese Grand Prix.

"Team representatives have met with the Stewards of the Event at Suzuka, but due to the complexity of the 12-page dossier prepared by SportPesa Racing Point F1 Team, a further meeting will take place at a future date, to be defined.

"Renault F1 Team intends to use this recess to prepare an equally detailed case to rigorously defend its position.

"The results of the Japanese Grand Prix still stand at the current time."