The Spanish motorsport federation has asked the FIA’s Court of Appeal to reconsider what it called the “unusual and disproportionate” penalty handed to Renault after the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The Enstone-based squad has been suspended from the European GP at Valencia as punishment for a botched pit stop at the Hungaroring that resulted in a wheel coming off Fernando Alonso’s car.
The team is appealing the penalty and an International Court of Appeal hearing has been scheduled for August 17, with a verdict due the following day – just three days before practice gets underway on the Valencia street circuit.
If the ban is upheld, Spain’s second race of the year will take place without home favourite Fernando Alonso, a prospect that has already prompted the organisers to intervene and ask the FIA to think of the fans. ITV
Budapest stewards said they believed Renault had knowingly released Alonso without one of the retaining devices for the wheel-nuts being securely in position; that being aware of this, the team had failed to take any action to prevent the car from leaving the pit lane; and that they had then failed to inform the driver of this problem or to advise him to take appropriate action given the circumstances.
Stewards summoned Renault officials to explain why pole-sitter Alonso’s right front right wheel was incorrectly fitted and was allowed to leave the pits. Auto Racing Daily
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