Ricciardo and Hulkenberg Disqualified in Japan by FIA After Renault F1 Found Cheating

The Renault team are in big trouble after both their cars got disqualified from the Japanese Grand Prix 2019. Apparently, following a complaint from Racing Point, they were guilty of running illegal driver aids.

After the race, Racing Point protested the legality of Renault’s brake-bias adjuster. This device is situated on all Formula One cars and helps balance the braking force between the front and rear brakes. Such a system actually helps turn the car into a corner and prevent locking a brake.

Racing Point alleged that Renault’s brake bias was altered without any driver input. If this was true, it would have been in breach of Article 27.1 of the sporting regulations.

As a result, the steering wheels and electronic control units from both cars were impounded. The stewards then submitted both teams’ explanations to the FIA’s technical department. Further evidence was submitted before the FIA’s decision on the matter was revealed.

According to them, the Renault system exploited a grey area in F1’s technical regulations. However, it still broke Article 27.1 of the Sporting Regulations that requires the driver to drive his car alone and unaided. Naturally, the Renault team tweeted their response to the double disqualification.

This comes as a big blow to sixth-placed Daniel Ricciardo and tenth-placed Nico Hulkenberg. Since both drivers finished in the top 10, the decision has cost Renault nine precious points.

Apparently, the Racing Point team knew of this, ever since the summer break. They were clued in about the situation when Nico Hulkenberg’s engineer left the team.

So, with the double disqualification, the top 6 remains the same, but Pierre Gasly moves up to 7th, Sergio Perez to 8th, Lance Stroll to 9th and Daniil Kvyat to 10th. This will definitely hurt Renault in the constructors’ championship, as McLaren would have made a 10 point gain, compared to 1 point.