Ferrari & Racing Point withdraw appeals in F1's 'copying' row

Ferrari have withdrawn their appeal against Racing Point's punishment in Formula 1's 'copying' row.

The team were docked 15 points 400,000 euros for illegally copying Mercedes' 2019 brake ducts for use on their car this season.

Racing Point also withdrew their appeal before the Italian Grand Prix.

Both teams cited the fact that governing body the FIA had since clarified issues regarding the unique design of F1 cars.

Ferrari said the decision to discontinue the appeal was because the FIA had approved amendments to the 2021 regulations that "clarified the responsibilities" of teams "in the design of the components of a single-seater and implement specific monitoring procedures to ensure that both the letter and the spirit of the regulations are fully respected".

Ferrari described this as "tackling a fundamental aspect of the DNA of this highly competitive sport".

The issue arose over a complication in the rules following the change of status of brake ducts between 2019 and 2020.

For this year, brake ducts were added to the category of 'listed parts' that teams have to design themselves to be regarded as constructors. These are fundamental performance-defining parts of the car such as the monocoque and aerodynamic surfaces.

But it was not illegal last year for teams to share the details of these parts.

So, while it was legal for Mercedes to supply the design of their brake ducts to Racing Point last year, stewards decided it was illegal for Racing Point to copy them for use on their 2020 car.

The issue has raised philosophical questions about the nature of F1 and what defines a constructor - and several teams appealed against the verdict, seeking clarity on this topic.

Rivals were especially concerned that Racing Point had admitted they had deliberately copied all of Mercedes' 2019 car as much as they could for this season, which they felt was against the intent of the rules.

Renault, McLaren and Williams withdrew their appeals some weeks ago after securing reassurances from governing body the FIA that the rules would be changed for 2021 to ensure that level of copying would be illegal.

Racing Point team owner Lawrence Stroll had vowed to clear the team's name, saying the accusations were "completely unacceptable and not true".

But a statement said they were withdrawing their appeal now "ambiguity around the regulations has been settled".

It added: "The stewards and all parties involved in the appeals process recognise that there was a lack of clarity in the regulations and that we did not deliberately break them."