Before the start of the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix, Racing Point was slapped with a €400,000 fine along with a 15 point deduction in the Constructors’ Championship table.

The penalty came about after constant complaints from Renault, stating that the RP20 brake ducts were a copy of Mercedes’ previous year’s design. However, despite the penalty issued by the FIA, they allowed Racing Point to continue the use of those brake ducts for the remainder of the season.

This, along with the ‘lenient’ penalty, aggravated the likes of Renault and Ferrari who have decided to take the matter to the International Court of Appeal.

Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul says that the reason behind this move was to seek clarity over the matter. He said, “What we are seeking since the start of that process, it’s not a legal outcome, it’s not a degradation of the relationship between teams or team principals in the paddock.

“It’s really some answers to a situation, to a precedent that has been set, a disruption that has been brought into the sport. And that’s what we are after. We don’t think we have a clear resolution to that as of yet.”

Since Renault were there from the very start of the process, they want to be the ones to finish it as well. Abiteboul wants, “A crystal clear outcome that cannot be turned around once things are settled.”

What is it that Renault wants F1 to ensure?

The Renault boss simply wants insurance about the fact that this is indeed a ‘sport for constructors’. According to Abiteboul, “(We want) constructors that design the whole car, that create the whole aerodynamic concept. And that each car is its own aerodynamic concept. That’s what we are after.”

The team principal of the Enstone-based outfit is confident that F1 will make the necessary rule changes. In fact, clarity over the rules will simply ensure that a situation like this does not arise again.

He said, “We have indication that it will be the case. We appreciate that the rules are not clear. That’s what we are seeking from the process.”

As for Racing Point, they aren’t backing down either. Team owner Lawrence Stroll is ready to appeal the penalty. According to him, they have done no wrong, and he seems hell-bent on proving their innocence.

This saga is unlikely to end anytime soon. Who knows what more twists and turns lie ahead? Watch this space to find out.

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