Stroll 'appalled' by F1 rivals as Racing Point chief denies cheating

A Racing Point car at Silverstone

Racing Point owner Lawrence Stroll has accused Formula One rivals of "poor sportsmanship" as the likes of Ferrari and McLaren prepare to question the punishment imposed for a rules breach.

Amid controversy surrounding Racing Point's rear brake ducts, Stroll said he was "extremely angry at any suggestion we have been underhand or have cheated - particularly those comments coming from our competitors".

He said other teams were "dragging our name through the mud" and warned Racing Point would have a riposte.

The ducts were found by the FIA, motorsport's world governing body, to be principally copied from Mercedes designs and therefore against regulations.

This season's Formula One guidelines state such ducts belong to the 'listed parts' category, meaning they must be designed by each team rather than bought in from elsewhere.

Racing Point are considering an appeal against the 15-point penalty and €400,000 fine that the FIA handed down for breaching sporting regulations, insisting they have not cheated, but a number of other teams are expected to suggest their penalty was on the lenient side.

Racing Point co-owner, Lawrence Stroll responds to the protests made by other F1 teams.#F170  #F1 pic.twitter.com/h5isG6mHHC

— Formula 1 (@F1) August 9, 2020

Stroll issued a statement on Sunday in which he denied Racing Point had committed any offence, while also attacking the attitude of grid rivals.

He said: "Beyond the clear fact that Racing Point complied with the technical regulations, I am appalled by the way Renault, McLaren, Ferrari and Williams have taken this opportunity to appeal, and in doing so attempted to detract from our performances. They are dragging our name through the mud and I will not stand by nor accept this.

"I intend to take all necessary actions to prove our innocence. My team has worked tirelessly to deliver the competitive car we have on the grid. I am truly upset to see the poor sportsmanship of our competitors."

Stroll stressed: "I have never cheated at anything in my life. These accusations are completely unacceptable and not true. My integrity - and that of my team - are beyond question.

"Everyone at Racing Point was shocked and disappointed by the FIA ruling and firmly maintain our innocence."

The FIA said there was "no deliberate intent" on Racing Point's behalf, as the team had believed they were acting within the rules.

Stroll said: "The rules, as they are written, state that after 2019, no further information on brake duct design can be shared or acquired. At that point, what you know and have learned, is your own information. From that point onwards, you are on your own. Which is exactly what we have done."