Formula 1 News

Renault suspended from the 2009 European Grand Prix at Valencia 

Renault to appeal the stewards' decision

The ING Renault F1 Team has been suspended from the 2009 European Grand Prix, scheduled for August 23, at the Valencia Street circuit in Spain.

The Hungarian grand prix stewards deemed that Renault failed to take any action to prevent Fernando Alonso from leaving the pit-lane during the Hungarian Grand Prix while the wheel-nut of the Spaniard’s front right wheel wasn’t properly secured. This resulted in the wheel flying off the car and ending up against the track’s protective barriers.

The Stewards’ statement read:

Having carefully reviewed the available film recordings and radio recordings and having met the Team Manager twice to discuss the matter the Stewards believe

1. that the Competitor knowingly released car no. 7 from the pit stop position without one of the retaining devices for the wheel-nuts being securely in position, this being an indication that the wheel itself may not have been properly secured,
2. being aware of this failed to take any action to prevent the car from leaving the pit-lane,
3. failed to inform the driver of this problem or to advise him to take appropriate action given the circumstances, even though the driver contacted the team by radio believing he had a puncture,
4. this resulted in a heavy car part detaching at Turn 5 and the wheel itself detaching at Turn 9

Offence: Breach of Article 23.1.i and Article 3.2 of the 2009 FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations

Penalty: The Competitor ING Renault F1 Team is suspended from the next event in the 2009 Formula 1 World Championship.

Renault has already confirmed that it will appeal against the stewards’ decision.

Renault Notice of Intention to appeal:

Renault F1 Team, by means of this document, formally files notification of its intention to appeal against the decision pronounced on it by the Stewards of the Meeting issued at 18.22 hrs on the 26th day of July 2009 relating to breaches to Article 23.1.i and Article 3.2 of the 2009 Formula One Sporting Regulations.

A deposit for the amount of 6,000 has been lodged with the FIA in anticipation ofthis appeal. The FIA is hereby authorised to use is deposit as the fee for this appeal in compliance with the Rules of the FIA International Court of Appeal.