It has been revealed by the FIA that four current formula one teams sent letters of support to Renault for their appeal to overturn the race suspension that was handed to them at the Hungarian grand prix.
The Hungarian stewards banned Renault from taking part in the European grand prix in Valencia when the team failed to secure Fernando Alonso’s right-front wheel during the Spaniards first pit-stop.
This led to the wheel coming loose from the car as Alonso made his way around the Hungaroring on his out-lap, just one day after Felipe Massa was rushed to hospital for surgery after being struck by a piece of debris during the second phase of qualifying.
But Renault disputed the stewards decision and the ban was overturned by the FIA’s Court of Appeal and the team received a $50,000 fine in its place.
Today the sport’s governing body released details of the reasons behind the court’s decision, explaining that the ban was dropped because there was no proof that Renault had released Alonso from his pitstop with the knowledge that the wheel was loose.
In their decision, the court stated: 'The Court endorses the FIA's view that it is always necessary to have regard to the potential dangers which arise from a situation, as recent tragic incidents have proved.
'However, in assessing the penalty which is appropriate in an individual case, great care must be taken not to equate potential danger with conscious wrong-doing.'
It was also mentioned that Renault’s case was assisted by the letters of support received from Red Bull Racing, McLaren, Ferrari and Toyota.
Two of the teams admitted that they have looked into their own pit-stop procedures and will be making changes to their stops to avoid a repeat of Renault’s situation.
The court said: 'The Court notes that it has taken account of the letters of support which the Appellant has received from Red Bull Racing, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, and Toyota F1 Team and which it has submitted to the Court.
'These letters confirm that two of the above-mentioned teams lay claim to having followed improved procedures precisely in order to avoid the very serious safety risks which unquestionable arose in the present case.
'While the Court accepts the FIA’s submissions that the letters should not be regarded as wholly unsolicited testimonials of support, it considers that it would be wrong in the circumstances of this case to ignore the other teams’ views, which they have formally recorded in writing with the knowledge and intention that they should be submitted to the Court.'
The Hungarian stewards banned Renault from taking part in the European grand prix in Valencia when the team failed to secure Fernando Alonso’s right-front wheel during the Spaniards first pit-stop.
This led to the wheel coming loose from the car as Alonso made his way around the Hungaroring on his out-lap, just one day after Felipe Massa was rushed to hospital for surgery after being struck by a piece of debris during the second phase of qualifying.
But Renault disputed the stewards decision and the ban was overturned by the FIA’s Court of Appeal and the team received a $50,000 fine in its place.
Today the sport’s governing body released details of the reasons behind the court’s decision, explaining that the ban was dropped because there was no proof that Renault had released Alonso from his pitstop with the knowledge that the wheel was loose.
In their decision, the court stated: 'The Court endorses the FIA's view that it is always necessary to have regard to the potential dangers which arise from a situation, as recent tragic incidents have proved.
'However, in assessing the penalty which is appropriate in an individual case, great care must be taken not to equate potential danger with conscious wrong-doing.'
It was also mentioned that Renault’s case was assisted by the letters of support received from Red Bull Racing, McLaren, Ferrari and Toyota.
Two of the teams admitted that they have looked into their own pit-stop procedures and will be making changes to their stops to avoid a repeat of Renault’s situation.
The court said: 'The Court notes that it has taken account of the letters of support which the Appellant has received from Red Bull Racing, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, and Toyota F1 Team and which it has submitted to the Court.
'These letters confirm that two of the above-mentioned teams lay claim to having followed improved procedures precisely in order to avoid the very serious safety risks which unquestionable arose in the present case.
'While the Court accepts the FIA’s submissions that the letters should not be regarded as wholly unsolicited testimonials of support, it considers that it would be wrong in the circumstances of this case to ignore the other teams’ views, which they have formally recorded in writing with the knowledge and intention that they should be submitted to the Court.'
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