McLaren, Williams withdraw Racing Point case verdict appeal

Ferrari and Renault have announced they are pressing ahead with an appeal against Racing Point’s case over the legality of the brake ducts on its Racing Point RP20.

The Silverstone-based team were handed a large fine and had 15 points deducted from their constructors’ points total after stewards deemed it had illegally copied the parts from technical partners Mercedes, which is against the 2020 regulations.

However, it has been allowed to keep running the parts as the FIA said it would be unreasonable to expect them to re-design them during a season period.

A number of teams – Williams, McLaren, Ferrari and Renault - proceeded to come forward an appeal against the penalty, which they feel is too lenient in light of a guilty conviction. Racing Point has also launched its own counter-appeal.

Teams have have a 96-hour period in which they must decide whether or not they want to pursue the appeal, with McLaren and Williams failing to do so.

Nonetheless, both Ferrari and Renault – the team that launched the original complaint – will push on with their cases.

“We have confirmed our intention to appeal against the Stewards’ decision in respect of the Racing Point brake ducts," Renault said in a statement.

"In the meantime, we will continue to work intensively with the FIA and all stakeholders to develop and implement a clear and enforceable regulatory framework that will ensure all teams participating in the 2021 season will develop their original aerodynamic concept by themselves."

The case will now go to the FIA’s International Court of Appeal.