Breaking news
Formula 1
Brawn: Racing Point F1 protest "tricky problem" to resolve
Formula 1 managing director of motorsport Ross Brawn believes the current protest against Racing Point will be a “tricky problem” for the FIA to resolve.
Luke Smith
Published: Jul 20, 2020, 12:03 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Racing Point is currently facing scrutiny over the legality over its RP20 car following protests by Renault at each of the last two races.
Racing Point has openly admitted it based the design of its car on the 2019 Mercedes W10 by using photographs, but stresses it remains within the regulations.
Writing in his post-race column, Brawn explained how copying other teams was “standard” in F1, having previously done so himself in his time as a team technical chief.
“My view is copying in Formula 1 is standard,” Brawn said.
“Every team has, in normal times, digital photographers in the pit lane out there taking thousands of photos of every car for analysis, with a view of copying the best ideas. We used to give our photographers a shopping list.
“Racing Point have just taken it to the next stage and done a more thorough job. There is not a single team in this paddock which has not copied something from another.
“I’d ask every Technical Director in the paddock to raise their hand if they haven’t copied someone else. You won’t see any hands. I have certainly copied others.”
Read Also:
Renault’s protest against Racing Point has focussed on the brake ducts used on the RP20 car, which it argues has copied the Mercedes design.
Racing Point was permitted to use the 2019 Mercedes brake ducts last year when they were a listed part, but then had to design its own version for this year after a change in the rules.
Team principal Otmar Szafnauer said over the weekend it was “impossible” for the brake ducts to be illegal, and that he has “no concerns whatsoever” over their legality.
Brawn said that it could be difficult for the Racing Point designers to dismiss any knowledge they had of the Mercedes part when making their own version.
“Last year, Racing Point had access to, and could use, 2019-spec Mercedes brake ducts because they were not a listed part. This year, brake ducts are listed parts, so you have to design your own,” Brawn explained.
“However, Racing Point cannot forget the knowledge they acquired using the 2019 Mercedes brake ducts.
“I think it is illogical to think they can wipe their memory banks. It is a tricky problem and one for the FIA experts to resolve.”
The FIA is set to rule on the matter ahead of next week’s British Grand Prix.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Binotto: Ferrari will consider organisational changes
Next article Wolff: Pitting Bottas only chance to pass Verstappen
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Luke Smith
1998 Belgian GP: When the Schumachers went to war
Formula 1
Formula 1
1998 Belgian GP: When the Schumachers went to war
The race that transformed perceptions of Red Bull
Formula 1
Formula 1
The race that transformed perceptions of Red Bull
Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie
Formula 1
Formula 1
Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie
More from
Racing Point
Aston Martin: Vettel can help bring out the best in Stroll
Formula 1
Formula 1
Aston Martin: Vettel can help bring out the best in Stroll
Stroll: 2020 results answered own questions over F1 capability
Formula 1
Formula 1
Stroll: 2020 results answered own questions over F1 capability
Aston Martin set for February F1 livery and car launch
Formula 1
Formula 1
Aston Martin set for February F1 livery and car launch
Latest news
Valtteri Bottas "pretty confident" of staying for F1 2027 amid Colton Herta rumours
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
1 h
Valtteri Bottas "pretty confident" of staying for F1 2027 amid Colton Herta rumours
Rally legend Carlos Sainz drives WRC Ford Puma Rally1 to victory
Other rally
Misc Other rally 2 h
Rally legend Carlos Sainz drives WRC Ford Puma Rally1 to victory
Dizziness to blame for Joan Mir's Malaysian GP retirement
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Malaysian GP
2 h
Dizziness to blame for Joan Mir's Malaysian GP retirement
Fernando Alonso 'beyond frustration' after engine issue in F1 Mexico GP qualifying
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
3 h
Fernando Alonso 'beyond frustration' after engine issue in F1 Mexico GP qualifying
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe