Renault starts at Valencia

[Wido Rossen]

Renault have had their suspension from this weekend's European Grand Prix in Valencia overturned by world motorsport's governing body FIA -- the official Formula One Web site has confirmed.

Fernando Alonso will be on the grid for Sunday's European Grand Prix after Renault's ban was overturned.
Renault were handed the punishment at last month's Hungarian Grand Prix when they were found at fault for allowing driver Fernando Alonso to leave the pits with a wheel that had not been properly secured.

Although Renault admitted unsafe conduct, an FIA International Court of Appeal hearing in Paris on Monday decided that the penalty was too severe and replaced it with a reprimand and a $50,000 fine instead.

Renault team manager Steve Nielsen had said he was confident the team's suspension would be lifted. "I've been optimistic since we got the penalty. We feel it's unjust," he told reporters.

Jorge Martinez, the vice-president of European Grand Prix organisers Valmor Sports, welcomed the decision. "Alonso's presence is excellent news for the race.

"It is especially a plus for Spanish fans. It would not make sense to hold a race in Spain without the flag carrier of Spanish motor racing," he told reporters in Spain.

Having won their appeal, Renault are now expected to announce a new driver to replace Nelson Piquet.

Piquet revealed over the summer break that he is being dropped midway through his second season with the French team and Renault tester Roman Grosjean has been widely tipped as his successor.

 

[Trebor901]

The penalty wasnt unjust, the pit crew knew the wheel wasnt on properly and its also Alonso's fault as he should have pulled off straight away instead of letting it undo itself and fly off

 

[James Johnson]

Thing is Alonso thought it was a puncture and team didnt explain to him the Real Problem.

 

[Kevin Watts]

I'm glad it was overturned, I thought the penalty was very harsh and maybe a knee jerk reaction to safety in light of what happened to Massa.

 

[Bram Hengeveld]

Good call to let them start. Ridiculous discision turned back now! :thumb:

 

[Keith Peppiatt]

glad to see them starting but a $50,000 fine is a drop in the ocean when you think how much they will cash in on the alonso in spain front.

anyone know if they get any grid drop penalties?

 

[Omer Said]

As i know there is no grid drop penalties Keith.

I also agree that is good to cancel this ban.

 

[Mark Birney]

Good.

 

[Damian Henderson]

The penalty is a joke tbh, whats $50,000 to renault? A small price to pay for safety.

 

[kalniel]

The penalty is a joke tbh, whats $50,000 to renault? A small price to pay for safety.

It is, but then they should have established that earlier - Renault argued successfully that only fines have been given for the same kind of offenses in the past. The FIA needs to set strong rules/sentances at the start of the season, not change them part way through without giving the teams advance notice.

 

[Xosé Estrada]

The penalty should be bigger and economical since first moment, was ridiculous to ban them from a GP, that does nothing for safety as competitiveness in F1 is over all, but big money can help FIA in safety research.

Cya!.