Why Racing Point broke the rules... and survived! Sort of

Summary by Krater

An analysis of the FIA Stewards' decision penalising Racing Point for copying Mercedes 2019 brake ducts, explaining why the front brake ducts were deemed a legal evolution while the rear brake ducts were not.

From the video

Answers: Why was Racing Point penalized by the FIA for their brake ducts?

• Racing Point RP20 brake ducts
• Mercedes W10 brake duct design
• FIA sporting regulations vs technical regulations
• Formula 1 car copying legality

What it concludes

• Racing Point were given a 15-point constructor championship deduction and a 400,000 euro fine for using Mercedes-derived brake ducts.
• The front brake ducts on the RP20 were a legal evolution from the RP19 because Racing Point legally possessed and used Mercedes designs in 2019 before the rules changed.
• The rear brake ducts were deemed illegal because Racing Point fed Mercedes 2019 rear designs directly into their 2020 car without prior legal possession.
• The penalties imposed by the stewards were intended to balance the aerodynamic advantage Racing Point gained in their design process.
• The FIA plans to amend 2021 regulations to clamp down on teams studying rival cars through photographs and copying portions of their designs.