FORMULA ONE

• Renault facing charges over '08 Singapore GP crash

  
  

  Paris, France (Sports Network) - Formula One racing's governing body, the International Automobile Federation (FIA), on Friday summoned Renault to answer charges of intentionally causing a crash in last year's Singapore Grand Prix to help driver Fernando Alonso win the race.

  According to a statement released by the FIA, representatives from the French team have been requested to appear before a special meeting of the FIA's World Motor Sports Council in Paris on September 21.

  The FIA said "[Renault] conspired with driver Nelson Piquet 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 their other driver, Fernando Alonso." Piquet retired from F1's inaugural night race after hitting the wall on lap 14 of the 61-lap grand prix. Alonso, who started on a light fuel load, made his first pit stop prior to Piquet's accident. The subsequent safety car period helped Alonso move to the front of the field after starting 15th on the grid.

  The charges against Renault include a breach of Article 151c of the International Sporting Code, which prohibits "any fraudulent conduct or any act prejudicial to the interests of any competition or to the interests of motor sport generally." Renault could face a complete expulsion from F1 if found guilty on the charges.

  Piquet, an F1 rookie last year, was released from Renault one month ago, with the team's reserve driver, Romain Grosjean, taking over his seat.

  09/04 15:32:08 ET