Renault has had their points from the 2019 Japanese Grand Prix taken away after it was discovered that they had used an illegal driver-aid system on their cars. FiA officials found Renault had a brake-bias adjustment system that did not meet the rules regarding drivers’ unaided operation of the car. Both Renault drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg have been disqualified – Ricciardo finished sixth and Hulkenberg finished 10th at Suzuka.
Brake bias is adjusted by F1 drivers using controls and switches on the steering wheel.
In the ruling, FiA officials said: “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.”
If the ruling remains final, it will promote Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc from seventh to sixth and adds two points to his slim 11-point lead over teammate Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who are currently tied for fourth with 212 points apiece in the driver’s championship.
Renault has until Thursday to decide whether to appeal.