Renault F1 appeals over European Grand Prix ban

PARIS — Renault’s appeal against its suspension from the European Grand Prix began Monday, with the Formula One team optimistic the decision will be overturned to allow two-time world champion Fernando Alonso to race in his native Spain.

Motor sport’s governing body suspended Renault from the race in Valencia after the team allowed Alonso to leave pit lane with a loose wheel during last month’s Hungarian GP.

Renault team manager Steve Nielsen believes the suspension will be lifted, with the French outfit possibly instead receiving a fine.

“I’ve been optimistic ever since we got the penalty. We feel the penalty is unjust,” Nielsen said. “We admit we did some stuff wrong, but we don’t think that the penalty fits the crime.”

The case, lodged by the French Motorsport Federation, was heard by the FIA’s International Court of Appeal at its Paris headquarters. A decision is possibly expected late Monday, according to judges.

None of the F1 racers were present at Monday’s hearing. Also representing Renault were engineering director Pat Symonds and technical director Bob Bell, while F1 race director Charlie Whiting was representing the FIA.

“For the sake of us, Renault, and for the sake of all the fans in Valencia who want to buy tickets, everyone wants to know whether Alonso’s going to be racing or not,” Nielsen added. “The reason there are two races in Spain is largely because of Fernando’s involvement. People in Spain were not so interested in F1 until he got involved, and now it’s a big sport there.”

Carlos Gracia, the president of Spain’s motor sport federation, and vice president Joaquin Verdegay also attended and asked for leniency.

Verdegay said Spanish racing fans would be “deprived of their main reason for attending” if Alonso can’t take part.

The FIA reprimanded Renault for allowing Alonso to leave the pit lane with his wheel not securely fastened to his car during the Hungarian GP on July 26. The wheel dislodged from Alonso’s car as he rounded turn No. 9 after 13 laps of racing, and bounced wildly down the track.

The incident came the day after Brazilian driver Felipe Massa was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after being struck by an object dislodged from another car during qualifying. Massa had surgery on his skull and is recovering.

FIA stewards said Renault knowingly released Alonso’s car from the pit stop position “without one of the retaining devices for the wheel-nuts being securely in position,” adding that Renault failed to inform Alonso of the problem.

The decision to suspend Renault was made after the FIA reviewed film and radio recordings from the race at the Hungaroring circuit on the outskirts of Budapest.

The incident prompted further concerns over the safety of the sport.

The previous week, F2 driver Henry Surtees — the son of former F1 champion John Surtees— was killed after losing consciousness and crashing into the barrier after a stray tire hit him.