Renault pick up suspension

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Renault have been suspended from next month's European Grand Prix in Valencia after Fernando Alonso lost his right-front wheel in Sunday's race in Hungary.

Starting from pole position, Alonso led the first 12 laps at the Hungaroring before making what was supposed to be his first pit stop of the race.

However, he rejoined the fray with the wheel improperly secured - the double world champion then trailing back to the pits for another stop as first the wheel cover and then the wheel itself flew off and bounced down the track.

After falling to the back of the field after making a second stop, Alonso eventually retired on lap 16 with a fuel pump problem.

The panel of three race stewards studied available film footage and radio recordings before determining that:

* the competitor knowingly released car number seven (Alonso) from the pit-stop position without one of the retaining devices for the wheel nuts being securely in position, this being an indication that the wheel itself may not have been properly secured.

* being aware of this, failed to take any action to prevent the car from leaving the pit lane.

* failed to inform the driver of this problem, or to advise him to take appropriate action given the circumstances, even though the driver contacted the team by radio believing he had a puncture.

* this resulted in a heavy car part (wheel trim) detaching at turn five, and the wheel itself detaching at turn nine.

The stewards found Renault to be in breach of two specific articles of FIA Sporting Regulations:

(i) Competitors must ensure their cars comply with the conditions of eligibility and safety throughout practice and the race.

(ii) It is the responsibility of the competitor to release his car after a pit stop only when it is safe to do so.

With the Spaniard now set to miss out on racing in front of his home fans at Valencia's street circuit, Renault immediately announced their attention to appeal.

The incident came a week after 18-year-old Briton Henry Surtees, son of Ferrari's 1964 world champion John, died in a Formula Two race at Brands Hatch after being struck by a loose wheel bouncing across the track.

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