Renault has lodged a third protest against the Racing Point RP20, but this time only registering it against Lance Stroll’s car after Nico Hulkenberg was unable to start the British Grand Prix due to an engine issue.
Renault has protested their rivals car at the last three races – Britain, Hungary and Styria – claiming its design is too similar to that of the championship-winning Mercedes W10 from last season.
The row centres on the RP20’s brake ducts, which Racing Point claims it developed based off photos of the W10, and previous knowledge as the team is a customer of Mercedes.
The FIA is currently conducting an investigation into the matter based on the first protest at the Styrian Grand Prix, and has made it clear it will consider all further protests under the original ruling, when it’s finally made.
Stroll finished ninth this weekend in what was the team’s poorest weekend in terms of points. It currently sits fifth in the standings, one point adrift of Ferrari and 10 ahead of Renault, which enjoyed its strongest weekend with Daniel Ricciardo fourth and Esteban Ocon sixth.
Racing Point maintains its RP20 is legal and has 886 drawings to prove its design process was based off photographs of the Mercedes W10.
It’s not yet known when the FIA will confirm its findings and make a ruling, though it’s expected whatever the outcome is, an appeal is likely from whichever party loses.
