Nico Hulkenberg, Racing Point, Silverstone, 2020

Racing Point given reprimand for running disputed brake ducts again

2020 70th Anniversary Grand Prix

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Racing Point have been reprimanded for running their disputed rear brake ducts again in today’s 70th Anniversary Grand Prix.

On Friday the stewards handed the team a €400,000 fine and 15-point deduction in the constructors championship for using the ducts in the Styrian Grand Prix.

The stewards ruled the ducts are legal from the point of view of the technical regulations, but were not designed in accordance with the sporting regulations. Therefore Racing Point has been allowed to continue running the ducts, but will receive reprimands every time they do.

It was therefore reprimanded for running the ducts again on both its cars during today’s race.

“The stewards of the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix believe that is important for the orderly conduct of the sport that the interpretation of the regulations by the stewards be reasonably consistent,” they said in a statement. “The stewards therefore join the decision of the special panel of stewards and incorporate herein by reference, their findings of fact, reasoning and the reasoning behind their choice of penalties.

“This present decision should be read as entirely consistent with and drawing the same conclusions as decision document four (including document five) of the special panel. The stewards therefore find that BWT Racing Point F1 Team is in breach of appendix six of the 2020 FIA F1 Sporting Regulations and order a reprimand for the Team, operating car 18 and car 27.”

The stewards subsequently announced Renault had submitted a protest against Racing Point’s cars following today’s race. However the team has withdrawn that protest following the stewards’ confirmation of the reprimand.

However five teams, including Racing Point, have submitted notice of intention to appeal Friday’s decision by the stewards against the team.

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Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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20 comments on “Racing Point given reprimand for running disputed brake ducts again”

  1. How many reprimands can you collect?
    Or is it just a FIA symbolic gesture.

    1. After 5 reprimands you can choose a gift from the top shelf.
      I think they’ll go for the jumbo plush bear.

      1. Top shelf of the Merc parts cabinet :)

        1. Haha, top comments here!!

    2. I think at this stage only Williams F1 will take him (as a pay driver).

  2. What does it mean though? What’s the purpose of reprimanding them? What happens if they are reprimanded again? Either punish them or don’t, this half-half attitude is one hell of a mixed message.

  3. So what happens when a team racks up a bunch of reprimands? For a driver 3 reprimands equals a grid penalty if I’m correct and the rules haven’t changed, but is there an equivalent to that for teams?

    Still, if things stay as they are, I think they got away lightly with this, one race a harsh penalty, but every subsequent time a nothing-penalty.

  4. I believe Racing Point did nothing wrong, but this penalty is really ridiculous. Something like waving a black and white flag in front of Racing Point team. :)

    1. Barcelona they will have a different duct so people can’t complsin anymore. But Mr. Stroll is going to get the big lawers and i think that is why Toto was trtying to get teams closer to each other OR else lawsuits on everything as long as mr. Stroll has money.

  5. The FIA don’t seem to realise who they are messing with.
    Daddy gets what Daddy wants ….. and Junior needs his toys!

    By crikey things had better change or there will be no racing ever again for anyone!

  6. So Racing Point going to be the most reprimanded team in history then.

  7. Honestly what about all the disproportionate allocations to bigger teams (not to forget Ferrari) isn’t that cheating too?!!??

  8. NB don’t consider RP to have cheated..

  9. What’s the point of these warnings? They will still run these parts.

  10. Story for the sake of a story.

  11. You’ve been a very naughty boy.

  12. I searched around every news site and no one mentions what happens if you get multiple reprimands

    Either no one knows or nothing happens.

    If so, what’s the point? They say they can use the brake ducts but will get reprimands every time they do. Why?

    If they can use them, why reprimand them? If you’re reprimanding them, why letting them use it for the whole year?

    I didn’t think it could happen but this is actually more baffling and confusing than Ferrari’s guilty/not guilty verdict from last year’s engine investigation.

  13. Mark in Florida
    9th August 2020, 20:25

    They should get a reprimand for pitting Hulk so Stroll could finish ahead of him. Hulk can’t catch a break.

    1. Yeah. This whole year with Perez and now Hulk has been absolutely fodder for my love of conspiracy theories. I am fully invested in the idea that RP are messing with whoever is not Lance so that next year when it’s Stroll & Vettel, they feel better about the lineup.

    2. Seriously who’s idea was that?? My grandmother could see there was no benefit in pitting. Another terrible end to the race.

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