Brakes put on Renault over illegal ‘mass damper’ system

RENAULT’S efforts to win second consecutive drivers’ and manufacturers’ world titles were put in jeopardy yesterday when the team’s unique “mass damper” system was ruled illegal.

The FIA International Court of Appeal quashed the decision by the German Grand Prix stewards to rule the suspension device was within the regulations.

World champions Renault had challenged and overturned a ban by the governing body on the mass damper system installed in the nose of their car when they presented their spare car for scrutineering with the device fitted ahead of the German Grand Prix.