Half of F1’s teams set to appeal Racing Point copying verdict

Half of Formula 1’s 10 teams have notified the FIA of their intention to appeal the verdict on the Racing Point copying row.

Ferrari, McLaren and Renault confirmed after Friday practice that they are planning to appeal the FIA’s ruling on the grounds that the penalty handed to Racing Point - docking 15 constructors’ championship points and €400,000 fine - is too lenient.

On Saturday morning, Williams joined its rivals in given notice of their intention to appeal the verdict, while Racing Point has also declared its intention to protest against its penalty.

Teams had until 9:30am this morning to give notice of their intention to appeal the decision and have a 96-hour window to formally submit their appeals. If formalised, they will then be sent to the FIA's International Court of Appeal.

Racing Point were found guilty on Friday of breaking F1’s design rules by using an effective cop of Mercedes’ 2019 rear brake ducts on its 2020 RP20 car.

A change of regulations before the 2020 season made brake ducts a part of the car - known as listed parts - that teams have to design themselves.

Racing Point has insisted it had done so legally by using photographs of the Mercedes W10 design, but the FIA stewards ruled this was not the case, and as such, penalised the Silverstone-based outfit for breaching the sporting regulations.

Rival teams are concerned that Racing Point’s entire car is a virtual copy of the 2019 title-winning Mercedes, with McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown saying the brake ducts ruling was just “the tip of the iceberg” in the matter.

Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff says his side has “zero worries” about being involved in any wrongdoing in the controversial ‘copycat’ saga.