F1: Renault won’t appeal Japan penalty; Verstappen fears Ferrari in Mexico

Daniel Ricciardo and his Formula One team won’t appeal his disqualification from the Japan GP despite slamming the FIA’s inconsistency.

Daniel Ricciardo. (Photo by ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP)

Renault have opted not to appeal against the disqualification of both Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg from the results of the Japanese GP — despite criticising the FIA’s “inconsistent” driver aid penalty.

Ricciardo and Hulkenberg, who finished sixth and 10th respectively in the October 13 race, were disqualified from the final classification following a Racing Point protest into Renault’s brake bias system, which was alleged to give their drivers an advantage.

Although the FIA stated that the system — a button mounted on the steering wheel — was not in breach of the technical regulations, they ruled that it was still a driver aid and Renault were stripped of their nine points.

Renault had until Thursday to appeal the verdict but have decided against it as they had no new evidence to present — although they criticised the punishment and claimed it was “inconsistent with previous sanctions for similar breaches”.

“We regret the Stewards’ decision and, in particular, the severity of the sanction applied,” a team statement read. “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.”

VERSTAPPEN: ‘INSANE’ POWER GIVES FERRARI EDGE

Max Verstappen otries his hand at preparing tacos in the paddock. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Max Verstappen admits the “insane” speed of Ferrari’s engine will make the Scuderia difficult to beat at the Mexican GP this weekend.

Verstappen and his Red Bull team are the defending two-time victors in Mexico City but arrive at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in more cautious mood this year owing to wider trend of the 2019 season.

Whereas Red Bull were clear favourites in 2018, Ferrari are considered the more likely victors this time with their car currently untouchable in a straight line and the team having claimed every pole position since the summer break.

Champions Mercedes, meanwhile, have still won the last two races but have struggled in recent years in Mexico.

“We brought updates and others did too and I guess we didn’t make that performance step like we did last year compared to them. I guess it’s as simple as that,” said Verstappen when asked why Red Bull did not appear quite as strong compared to this stage last year.

“From the Ferrari side, they gained over the year more and more power and it’s very hard to beat that to be honest. Even if you have a car which is half a second faster it’s still almost impossible to beat them in qualifying — as you can see with Mercedes.

“They definitely have the best car compared to them and still in qualifying they are lacking lately. It’s just insane the speed difference they have.”

These articles were originally published by Sky Sports and reproduced with permission