Renault has announced that it will not appeal against the FIA's decision to disqualify both its drivers from the results of the Japanese Grand Prix earlier this month.
The French outfit was found to be running a brake adjustment system which contravened Article 27.1 of the sporting regulations, which requires the car to be driven 'alone and unaided'.
In their statement, Renault made it clear they are unhappy at the severity of the decision to be disqualified and believe it is 'inconsistent' when compared to similar cases.
After the German Grand Prix, Alfa Romeo were handed 30-second time penalties to both Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi after it was found their clutch release systems did not match their ECU data traces.
The Enstone-based outfit has defended their system in which they claim the workload of the driver is reduced in the cockpit and believe it therefore does not breach Article 27.1.
With no new evidence to present to the stewards and the FIA, Renault has decided not to appeal the stewards' decision.
"We regret the Stewards' decision and, in particular, the severity of the sanction applied," a team statement confirmed. "In our opinion, the penalty is not proportionate to any benefit the drivers derived, especially when used within the context of a system confirmed fully legal and innovative. It is also inconsistent with previous sanctions for similar breaches, as acknowledged by the Stewards in their decision, but expressed without further argumentation.
"However, since we have no new evidence to bring other than that already produced to demonstrate the legality of our system, we do not wish to invest further time and effort in a sterile debate in front of the International Court of Appeal concerning the subjective appreciation, and therefore sanction, related to an aid that reduces the driver workload without enhancing the performance of the car.
"We have therefore decided not to appeal the Stewards’ decision.
"Formula One will always be an arena for the relentless search for the slightest possible opportunities for competitive advantage. It is what we have always done and will continue to do, albeit with stronger internal processes before innovative solutions are brought on track."
The penalty delivered a major blow to Renault's aspirations of beating McLaren to fourth in the Constructors' Standings as it now sits 43 points behind with four races remaining.
Discussion about this post