Renault steering wheels impounded after Suzuka protest

The Renault Formula 1 team has had its steering wheels and electronic control units impounded following the Japanese Grand Prix.

A protest from Racing Point has seen the FIA seize and seal the items from the cars of both Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg pending further investigation.

Racing Point claims Renault uses a “pre-set lap distance dependent brake bias adjustment system.”

Hearing the protest in Suzuka, the FIA technical department was directed by stewards to conduct further analysis on the steering wheels and ECUs to determine if there was a breach.

That analysis will centre on the hardware, software, and data associated with them, with a report to be submitted back to the stewards.

Renault, which finished seventh courtesy of Ricciardo and 10th with Hulkenberg, netted seven points from the race.

Its constructors’ championship total now sits at 77 points, 23 more than Racing Point.

Should Renault be excluded, the squad would drop back to 70 points while Racing Point would rise to 57 as a result of Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll rising in the results.

For its part, Renault has acknowledged the protest, stating that it intends on defending its position.

“Renault F1 Team acknowledges the protest lodged by Racing Point concerning its brake bias system following the Japanese GP,” the team tweeted.

“Team representatives have met with the Stewards of the Event at Suzuka, but due to the complexity of the 12-page dossier prepared by Racing Point F1, a further meeting will take place at a future date, to be defined.

“Renault F1 Team intends to use this recess to prepare an equally detailed case to rigorously defend its position.

“The results of the Japanese GP still stand at the current time.”

Valtteri Bottas won the race from Sebastian Vettel, with third for Lewis Hamilton enough to seal the constructors’ championship for Mercedes.