Daniel Ricciardo disqualified from Japanese GP over Renault scandal
Renault's Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg have been disqualified from the results of the Japanese Grand Prix after the sport's governing body ruled they'd benefited from an illegal driver aid.
Australian Ricciardo and German Hulkenberg were classified sixth and 10th at the October 13 race in Suzuka.
However, the Racing Point team protested the brake bias system used by the French manufacturer.
In a hearing held by the FIA in Geneva on Wednesday, it was ruled that a brake bias adjustment system did not breach technical regulations, but that it was classed as a driver aid.
"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,” it said
As a result, Ricciardo and Hulkenberg have been stripped of their seventh and ninth place finishes.
Renault has until Thursday to appeal the decision.
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Dobbed in by ex-employee?
FIA documents revealed the allegations had originally been made by an ex-Renault employee.
Racing Point argued the system was a breach of Article 27.1 of F1's sporting regulations, which demand a driver drives the car alone and unaided.
The team also felt Renault had breached Articles 11.1.3, 11.1.4 and 8.6.3 of the technical regulations that outlaw powered devices that alter brake balance, or any system not controlled by the driver.
Renault insisted that its brake bias adjustment system did not use a lap-distance trigger, and was within the technical regulations.
It offered full details of the system to the FIA, but this has been kept confidential and has not been revealed to the public.
Following a teleconference hearing between the Japanese GP stewards, it was concluded that Renault's system did comply with the technical regulations.
Renault's docked points would give Racing Point an additional five as Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll are both promoted two positions.
It also would add three points to Toro Rosso's total for the year thanks to gains for Pierre Gasly and Daniil Kvyat.
