Renault Summoned Before Extraordinary Session of WMSC

Formula one has had its share of controversies over the years, with one or two big scandals dominating the headlines. The 2009 season is no exception. The year began with the double diffuser saga in Australia, which was eventually settled in court. Fast forward a few months and after the firing of Nelson Piquet Jr from the Renault team, along with his much publicized spat with team boss Flavio Bratore, rumors began to circulate in Brazil.

The rumors went on to say that in last years Singaporean Grand Prix, Nelson Piquet was ordered to intentionally crash his car, thereby causing a safety car period which was instrumental in giving victory to his team mate, former double world champion, Fernando Alonso. Soon it was revealed that the FIA had opened an investigation into the rumor, and now via a press release, have called an extraordinary session of the world motor sports council.

In a statement the FIA said: “Representatives of ING Renault F1 have been requested to appear before an extraordinary meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council in Paris on Monday, 21 September 2009.

“The team representatives have been called to answer charges, including a breach of Article 151c of the International Sporting Code, that the team conspired with its driver, Nelson Piquet Jr, to cause a deliberate crash at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix with the aim of causing the deployment of the safety car to the advantage of its other driver, Fernando Alonso.”

If found guilty, Renault could be looking at severe penalties, possibly being stripped of past world titles and fines in the hundreds of millions of dollars.