ICA: Four Teams Sent Letters of Support for Renault

The International Court of Appeal (ICA) today issued a complete statement, explaining the reasons why it decided to overturn the one-race ban received by ING Renault F1 Team following the Hungarian Grand Prix. While accepting that “there was no conscious wrong-doing on the part of anyone,” in terms of the initial verdict, the FIA body revealed that several teams have sent support letters to the FIA for the overturn of the ban.

First of all, the ICA made it very clear that, while Renault's actions were flawed, it did not find any proof of conscious wrong-doing regarding the Hungaroring incident. After leaving the pits, the Renault R29 driven by Fernando Alonso lost a wheel on the circuit, which later resulted in the one-race ban.

“While the Court considers that the Appellant was responsible for the offences committed, it also accepts and finds that this responsibility does not, in the present circumstances, equate to conscious wrong-doing. Responsibility is not synonymous with culpability. A party which accepts responsibility is not thereby precluded from arguing that it did not act culpably,” said the ICA statement.

“Having reviewed the video evidence and taken account of the circumstances in which the Appellant was making decisions, and having considered with care all the accounts which were given, the Court accepts that the actions taken (or not taken) by the Appellant were flawed, but taken in good faith.”

“With respect to sanctions imposed in similar incidents, the Court accepts and emphasizes that each case must be looked at on its own merits and does not wish retrospectively to make judgments about other incidents. Nonetheless, it is the Court’s view that the penalty imposed in the present case appears to be significantly inconsistent with any penalty previously imposed (or not imposed) in other broadly comparable cases,” added the statement.

In addition, referring to the aforementioned letters of support – coming from McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull Racing and Toyota – the ICA admitted it has taken into consideration the arguments from the 4 rival teams.

“The Court notes that it has taken account of the letters of support which the Appellant has received from Red Bull Racing, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, and Toyota F1 Team and which it has submitted to the Court. These letters confirm that two of the above-mentioned teams lay claim to having followed improved procedures precisely in order to avoid the very serious safety risks which unquestionable arose in the present case.”

“While the Court accepts the FIA’s submissions that the letters should not be regarded as wholly unsolicited testimonials of support, it considers that it would be wrong in the circumstances of this case to ignore the other teams’ views, which they have formally recorded in writing with the knowledge and intention that they should be submitted to the Court.”