Renault’s Alonso will be in Valencia
Fernando Alonso, the former Formula One champion, has been cleared to take part at the European Grand Prix in Valencia after his team, Renault, managed to convince a motor sport court which overturned a suspension which would of grounded the Spaniard.
The motor sport’s governing body had initially given Renault a suspension from next Sunday’s race since the team had given the green light to its driver to leave the pit lane with an improperly fixed car; the Renault car sported a loose wheel at the Hungary Grand Prix last month.
The Motor Sport Federation decided against the punishment before the FIA International Court of Appeal in Paris.
Renault has instead been fined $50,000.
Technical director Bob Bell and engineering director Pat Symonds were representing the Renault team while Charlie Whiting, F1 race director, represented the FIA.
Renault manager Steve Nielsen managed to plea in favour of Alonso’s case, highlighting his importance for the Spanish race.
Nielson said: “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.”
The FIA fined Renault for allowing the Spanish driver to leave the pit lane with a dysfunctional wheel at the July 26 Hungarian GP.
The improperly fastened wheel came off from the Renault car during turn No. 9 after 13 laps of racing, and dangerously bounced on the racing track.
The European Grand Prix weekend starts Friday August 21 and race day is Sunday 23.
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