Renault disqualified from Suzuka because of illegal driver aid

Daniel-Ricciardo

Renault driver Daniel Ricciardo of Australia speaks during an interview outside his garage at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, central Japan, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019, ahead of the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix. (Toru Hanai / AP)

MEXICO CITY — Formula One disqualified Renault from the Oct. 13 Japanese Grand Prix on Wednesday, knocking both of the team’s cars out of the points for that race because of an illegal driver aid.

Daniel Ricciardo was sixth and Nico Hulkenberg 10th in Suzuka. Rival team Racing Point protested over what it believed was an illegal Renault braking system.

Formula One officials determined the braking balance system was not a technical violation, but was an improper driver’s aid.

The decision impacts several teams and drivers across the grid in the season standings.

Renault is now just six points ahead of Toro Rosso for fifth in the team standings.

Racing Point’s Sergio Perez moves ahead of both Renault drivers from 11th into ninth. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc is now 11 points clear of teammate Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in third heading into Sunday’s Mexican Grand Prix.

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