‘PINK MERCEDES’ TEAM REJECTS CLAIM ITS CAR BROKE THE RULES

STYRIAN GRAND PRIX

RACING POINT have hit back at Formula One rivals Renault for launching a protest about the legality of their car.

After Sunday’s race in Austria, stewards impounded the car’s front and rear brake ducts, which Renault claim are in breach of regulations.

But Racing Point insist the car, nicknamed the ‘Pink Mercedes’ for its similarity to the car Lewis Hamilton piloted to the title last season, was designed in compliance with the rules.

Mercedes have also been asked to hand over the brake ducts from their 2019 car for examination.

A statement from the team said: “Racing Point is extremely disappointed to see its results in the Styrian Grand Prix questioned by a misconceived and poorly informed protest. “Any suggestion of wrongdoing is firmly rejected and the team will take steps necessary to ensure the correct application of the regulations to the facts.” Mexican Sergio Perez and Canadian Lance Stroll, who is the son of the team’s billionaire owner Lawrence Stroll, finished sixth and seventh in Sunday’s second race of the season (above) at the Red Bull Ring.

Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo (left) finished eighth, with team-mate Esteban Ocon retiring.

Renault and other teams fear the Racing Point cars, powered by Mercedes engines, are emerging as a real threat.

Ricciardo claimed the Racing Point car was “a little too fast for our liking right now”.

But McLaren boss Andreas Seidl said: “It’s just a fact that this one-year-old Mercedes is a quick car, operated by a great team.”