RACING POINT V RENAULT THEY’VE GOT HISTORY

The battle for ‘best of the rest’ spot behind the top three teams has become spicy off the track as well as on it over the past couple of seasons…

July 2018

Force India goes into administration. Renault is among three teams that raise objections to potential sale to consortium led by Lawrence Stroll. Renault team boss Cyril Abiteboul denies this is an attempt to block the transfer of points and prize money as well as assets, saying Renault simply “wants reassurances” that Force India will not end up becoming a Mercedes B-team.

August 2018

In the continued absence of the unanimous approval required from other teams to transfer ownership of Force India, Lawrence Stroll’s consortium starts a new company – Racing Point – and acquires Force India’s assets. The ‘new’ team is allowed enter the championship, starting again from zero points – but only after a last-minute deal on the eve of the Belgian Grand Prix. The move slashes the team’s prize money income.

October 2019

Renault is disqualified in Japan and its steering wheels impounded by the FIA after Racing Point protests over an alleged illegal brake-bias adjustment system. “They could have asked the FIA to issue a technical directive, or asked them questions outside a race weekend,” rages Abiteboul. “This is the way it is always done. But Racing Point violated the agreement and prepared a 12-page dossier, waiting for the right moment to win back points from us.”

February 2020

Racing Point’s RP20 emerges at testing bearing a strong resemblance to the 2019 title-winning Mercedes. Renault executive director Marcin Budkowski calls it “a slightly concerning evolution for the sport”. Rumours circulate Renault and Mclaren are planning to protest the RP20 at the season-opening race.