Fia Launches F1 Race Investigation
The FIA, the world motorsport governing body, has launched an investigation into events at an unspecified F1 race, reported to be last year’s Singapore Grand Prix and believed to involve the tactics of the Renault team.
The FIA said only that it was investigating ‘alleged incidents at a previous F1 event’.
Last year’s Singapore race was won by Renault’s Fernando Alonso following a crash by his team-mate Nelson Piquet. The incident triggered a safety car which put Alonso into position to win.
When Piquet crashed two laps after the Spaniard had come in for a routine pit stop it meant that when race officials sent out the safety car to clear up the debris from Piquet’s car, Alonso was alone among the front-runners in not having to stop for fuel and tyres.
Piquet, who attributed the crash to a simple error, was sacked by Renault after the Hungarian Grand Prix last month but he has since been outspoken in his criticism of Renault team boss Flavio Briatore.
If the FIA discovers evidence of foul play, it would probably call a hearing of its World Motorsport Council to investigate the matter.
The FIA would not confirm that the event it was looking into was Singapore.
