Renault welcomes decision, accepts fine

Renault has welcomed the International Appeal Court’s decision to lift its race ban for the European Grand Prix and has accepted the $50,000 fine instead imposed on the team.

The Enstone-based squad was cleared to compete in this weekend’s Valencia race after the ICA opted to reduce the race suspension penalty to a reprimand and fine after Fernando Alonso’s car left the pit lane with a loose wheel, which then fell off, in Hungary.

After arguing in the hearing that it had not consciously let Alonso’s car return to the track with the front-right wheel not attached properly, the team was naturally pleased to have the race ban overturned.

However, after admitting it had contravened the sporting regulations by letting the car go onto the track in an unsafe state, the team said it felt the fine was a “far and balanced” penalty.

“The ING Renault F1 Team welcomes the decision of the FIA’s International Court of Appeal to lift the team’s suspension from the European Grand Prix,” Renault said in a statement.

“However, the team acknowledges that sporting regulations were breached during the incident in the pit lane of the Hungarian Grand Prix, which compromised safety.

“The team therefore accepts that the decision of the FIA to issue a reprimand and a $50,000 fine is fair and balanced.

“The ING Renault F1 Team now looks forward to concentrating on preparations for racing this weekend in Valencia.”

The ICA decision means Fernando Alonso will race as normal in front of his home Spanish fans, while the team’s test driver Romain Grosjean is expected to be imminently confirmed as his new team-mate following Nelson Piquet Jr’s acrimonious departure.

Source: ITV