Formula 1 sporting boss Ross Brawn supports Racing Point’s 2020 car design because copying is “standard” practice and it would “illogical” to “wipe their memory banks” of Mercedes technology.
Racing Point has angered rivals with its copy of the 2019 Mercedes aerodynamic philosophy because Renault believes Racing Point has gone beyond photographic analysis and the RP20 features parts that were designed by Mercedes.
Renault has protested Racing Point’s brake ducts at the last two events, with a verdict expected in the next couple of weeks.
“Every team has photographers in the pitlane taking thousands of photos of every car, with a view of copying the best ideas. We used to give our photographers a shopping list” :: Ross Brawn
Brake ducts were a non-Listed Part in 2019 – which meant teams were free to buy and use designs from other teams. But they had to design their own for 2020 as the component became a Listed Part this year.
Whether that transition has led Racing Point to illegally use Mercedes information from last year is the essence of the current investigation.
But Brawn, an ex-Ferrari technical director, does not see an issue with Racing Point’s overall approach – saying he actively sought inspiring from rival designs plenty of times when running F1 teams himself, such as 2009 title winner Brawn GP (pictured below).
“My view is copying in Formula 1 is standard,” he said in his post-Hungarian Grand Prix column.
“Every team has, in normal times, digital photographers in the pitlane out there taking thousands of photos of every car for analysis, with a view of copying the best ideas.
“We used to give our photographers a shopping list.
“Racing Point have just taken it to the next stage and done a more thorough job. There is not a single team in this paddock which has not copied something from another.
“I’d ask every technical director in the paddock to raise their hand if they haven’t copied someone else.
“You won’t see any hands. I have certainly copied others.
“Last year, Racing Point had access to, and could use, 2019-spec Mercedes brake ducts because they were not a listed part. This year, brake ducts are listed parts, so you have to design your own.
“However, Racing Point cannot forget the knowledge they acquired using the 2019 Mercedes brake ducts.
“I think it is illogical to think they can wipe their memory banks.”
Brawn’s position as part of F1’s management should hold no sway over the outcome as it is the responsibility of governing body the FIA and its stewards.
He acknowledged “it is a tricky problem and one for the FIA experts to resolve”.
Racing Point’s approach is particularly controversial because of the RP20’s performance so far.
Though the team is yet to fully maximise its potential in races, Lance Stroll and Sergio Perez qualified third and fourth in Hungary and the team is joint-third in the constructors’ championship.
“There have always been teams that punched above their weight in Formula 1 – and Racing Point are the latest team to achieve the feat,” said Brawn.
“They showed huge promise early in the weekend, and I am sure they will be disappointed not to convert that promise into a podium.
“But when you’re at the front, when you are with the big boys, everyone punishes your mistakes.
“Every movement and decision is critical. They have to adjust to being at the front end of grid.
“But that in itself is a measure of how far they’ve come this season.”
Brawn also used his post-race column to give credit to the Red Bull mechanics that performed a rapid fix on the grid after Max Verstappen crashed before the race even started.
Verstappen was able to take the start of the grand prix and went on to finish second.
“They showed their depth and expertise on Sunday, when they had to repair Max’s heavily damaged car at speed, with the start of the race fast approaching,” said Brawn.
“It was stunning.
“I have seen recoveries like that in the past, often less public as they happened inside garages, but it was an achievement as extraordinary and impressive as anything I’ve ever seen.”
