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Renault disqualified after illegal F1 driver aid use in Japanese GP

Renault has had both its cars disqualified from Formula 1's Japanese Grand Prix for using an illegal driver aid

Following a protest lodged by the Racing Point team, the FIA stewards held a teleconference hearing on Wednesday to evaluate whether a brake bias adjustment system used by Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg in Suzuka was legal.

The stewards believed that the system was not in contravention of F1's technical regulations, but that it was a driver aid.

As a result, Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg have been stripped of their sixth and ninth place finishes.

Racing Point's protest was based on claims that it believed a pre-set lap distance-dependent brake bias adjustment system was in breach of several F1's regulations.

FIA documents revealed the suggestions had originally been made by an ex-Renault employee.

Racing Point argued the system was a breach of Article 27.1 of F1's sporting regulations, which demand a driver drives the car alone and unaided.

The team also felt Renault had breached Articles 11.1.3, 11.1.4 and 8.6.3 of the technical regulations that outlaw powered devices that alter brake balance, or any system not controlled by the driver.

Renault insisted that its brake bias adjustment system did not use a lap-distance trigger, and was within the technical regulations.

It offered full details of the system to the FIA, but this has been kept confidential and has not been revealed to the public.

Following a teleconference hearing between the Japanese GP stewards, it was concluded that Renault's system did comply with the technical regulations.


Stewards' findings

1. The rear brake controller software used by Renault is an integral part of the control system referred to in Article 11.9 FIA Formula One Technical Regulations. As such, it is used in compliance with Article 11.1.3 and 11.1.4 of the FIA Formula One Technical Regulations.

2. The described control system is not pre-set, lap distance-dependent as alleged.

3. Renault drivers use buttons mounted on the steering wheel to control brake balance in compliance with Article 8.6.3 FIA Formula One Technical Regulations. These are connected to the FIA Standard ECU.

4. Given the above, the Stewards conclude that while Renault used innovative solutions to exploit certain ambiguities in the Technical Regulations and other supporting documents, their system does not breach any current Technical Regulation.


A stewards statement read: "The brake balance adjustment system in question acts as a driver aid, by saving the driver from having to make a number of adjustments during a lap.

"The Stewards note that there is a clear distinction between this system and one which provides actual feedback control, which could be a substitute for driver skills or reflexes.

"Nevertheless, it is still an aid and, therefore, contravenes Article 27.1 FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations."

The decision was taken to disqualify Ricciardo and Hulkenberg from the Suzuka race because it was felt that they had gained an advantage from the system.

Because of the unique nature of the hearing, an extended deadline has been proposed should Renault decide to appeal the penalty.

It has until Thursday 10.00 local time in Mexico to notify the FIA of its intent to appeal if it wishes to do so.


The impact of Renault's disqualification

The revised results put Renault under pressure from Toro Rosso for fifth in the constructors' championship.

It also moves Racing Point driver Sergio Perez from 11th to ninth, above both Renault drivers, in the drivers' contest.

Ricciardo and Hulkenberg slip to 12th and 13th, falling back behind McLaren's Lando Norris and the Toro Rosso of Daniil Kvyat as well.

Mercedes' constructors' title victory also remains confirmed - by one point - despite Charles Leclerc being promoted to sixth and gaining an extra two points for the Ferrari team.

Leclerc's bonus points reduce Ferrari's deficit to 177 points, with only 176 available over the remaining four grands prix.

It also boosts his advantage in third place in the drivers' championship to 11 points over Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel.

Revised Japanese GP result

Pos Driver Car Laps Gap
1 Valtteri Bottas Mercedes 52 1h21m46.755s
2 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari 52 13.343s
3 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 52 13.858s
4 Alexander Albon Red Bull/Honda 52 59.537s
5 Carlos Sainz Jr. McLaren/Renault 52 1m09.101s
6 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 51 1 Lap
7 Pierre Gasly Toro Rosso/Honda 51 1 Lap
8 Sergio Perez Racing Point/Mercedes 51 1 Lap
9 Lance Stroll Racing Point/Mercedes 51 1 Lap
10 Daniil Kvyat Toro Rosso/Honda 51 1 Lap
11 Lando Norris McLaren/Renault 51 1 Lap
12 Kimi Raikkonen Alfa Romeo/Ferrari 51 1 Lap
13 Romain Grosjean Haas/Ferrari 51 1 Lap
14 Antonio Giovinazzi Alfa Romeo/Ferrari 51 1 Lap
15 Kevin Magnussen Haas/Ferrari 51 1 Lap
16 George Russell Williams/Mercedes 50 2 Laps
17 Robert Kubica Williams/Mercedes 50 2 Laps
- Daniel Ricciardo Renault 51 Disqualified
- Nico Hulkenberg Renault 51 Disqualified
- Max Verstappen Red Bull/Honda 14 Accident damage

Revised constructors' championship standings

Pos Constructor Points
1 Mercedes 612
2 Ferrari 435
3 Red Bull/Honda 323
4 McLaren/Renault 111
5 Renault 68
6 Toro Rosso/Honda 62
7 Racing Point/Mercedes 58
8 Alfa Romeo/Ferrari 35
9 Haas/Ferrari 28
10 Williams/Mercedes 1

Revised drivers' championship

Pos Driver Points
1 Lewis Hamilton 338
2 Valtteri Bottas 274
3 Charles Leclerc 223
4 Max Verstappen 212
5 Sebastian Vettel 212
6 Carlos Sainz Jr. 76
7 Pierre Gasly 75
8 Alexander Albon 64
9 Sergio Perez 37
10 Lando Norris 35
11 Daniil Kvyat 34
12 Daniel Ricciardo 34
13 Nico Hulkenberg 34
14 Kimi Raikkonen 31
15 Lance Stroll 21
16 Kevin Magnussen 20
17 Romain Grosjean 8
18 Antonio Giovinazzi 4
19 Robert Kubica 1
20 George Russell 0

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