The hearing that could decide "the future of Formula One" gets underway today, with the team managers of Racing Point, Renault and Mercedes summoned to appear before the stewards at Silverstone.

At the heart of the issue is the legality of the Racing Point RP20 which, it is claimed is a "copy" of the 2019 Mercedes.

While Racing Point has insisted from the start that though inspired by the championship winning car, technical boss, Andrew Green sat down to design the RP20 with a blank piece of paper.

In particular the brake ducts on the Racing Point are being investigated, Renault believing that they were created in collaboration with Mercedes.

However, there have been claims in the German media this week that Racing Point bought the brake ducts from Mercedes in 2019 before they became listed parts.

While Green insists there is no case to answer and the team had the full approval of the FIA before the season even started, other teams including McLaren are watching with interest, team boss Andreas Seidl having warned that F1 risks becoming a "copying championship".

While FIA president, Jean Todt said it would be "inappropriate" to comment, speaking at the weekend he admitted that it is vital that F1 teams maintain the integrity of building their own cars.

"That has always been the essence of Formula 1," he said, "ten teams which have to make their own car.

"But historically in Formula 1, you have photographers and people taking photos, and you find some similarity between one car and another," he added. "It's part of the history of Formula 1.

"But getting more specific, firstly, I don't have the competence to judge. But I'm very optimistic that the people who are going to judge have the competence to make the right judgement."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by mickl, 05/08/2020 21:15

"@nnails I think it was $100m for Mclaren.

The thing is, if the protest succeeds then all the 'B'/customer teams of Mercedes and all the other engine and hardward suppliers (ie Ferrari/Renault/Honda) would have to be examined as well for anything like this as there may be other parts other than the brake ducts that were allowed to be copied last year but will now be deemed illegal as listed parts.

Because that's basically Renault's beef, Mercedes were allowed to show RP the ducts last year and if they used it last year it would be legal but this year it should be illegal as they are now a listed part and must be of the teams own design. Basically Renault is saying RP should unlearn what they know.

I reckon RP's defense will be considering the desing philosophy of the car and it's origins, the brake duct would be an inevitable design."

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2. Posted by nnails, 05/08/2020 20:14

"How much did mclaren get fined when they had Ferrari plans?"

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3. Posted by F1nerd, 05/08/2020 20:02

"About time somebody examined Mercedes, they not just quicker than the rest but massively faster. The other teams appear to be looked into for just improving as RP are this year & Ferrari last year."

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4. Posted by Rock Doc, 05/08/2020 17:26

"On the one hand I applaud Point Racing for acknowledging when they need to take a fresh look. F1 has always had copiers, the real problem is ' is it going to work the same on our car? '. Point Racing seem to have taken this to the extreme, but if it really is just from photos then I don't see the problem. But on the other hand when is the car no longer your car if you have copied a rival.

As @Jet Jockey says this will be interesting.

To be honest I'm wondering if someone was walking around with a portable LIDAR to get a detailed 3D scan. They are advanced tech companies. I'm sure at least one of the teams has had the idea already."

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5. Posted by Jet Jockey, 05/08/2020 11:35

"I can't wait to hear the outcome, this will be very interesting."

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Racing Point protest to be heard today

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