Renault have been formally accused of interfering with the outcome of last year's Singapore grand prix to the benefit of their driver and eventual winner, Fernando Alonso. An investigation by the FIA led the sport's governing body to call Renault before an extraordinary meeting of the World Motor Sport Council in Paris on 21 September, days before the teams return to Singapore for the 14th round of the 2009 championship.
The former world champions will answer charges that the team conspired with its driver, Nelson Piquet Jr, to crash deliberately with the aim of causing the deployment of the safety car to the advantage of Alonso.
When Piquet hit the wall and spread debris across the track on the 14th of 61 laps, the heavy crash caused the appearance of the safety car. Alonso was the only driver in the field to have refuelled unusually early, three laps before the incident, before rejoining at the back of the field. As the 18 cars running ahead of the former world champion took advantage of the safety car and made their stops, Alonso gradually moved to the front to score a win that went completely against form for the struggling team.
There is no precedent for such an alleged offence. Renault could face anything from a fine to exclusion from either the next race or, at worst, the 2009 world championship. The fear in F1 circles is that this could cause Renault to pull out.
This will be the second visit by Renault to the FIA in as many months, the Anglo-French team successfully appealing against a one-race ban for the unsafe release of Alonso's car before a front wheel was properly attached during a pit stop in Hungary. The wheel came off and bounced across the track a minute later. The Singapore incident was potentially just as serious since the debris could have affected other drivers or gone into the crowd.
The argument this time will centre on Renault's alleged interference with the outcome of the race. The FIA will have examined telemetry measuring steering inputs and throttle applications on Piquet's car as well as listening to pit-to-car radio communications.
Alonso tops the podium after the race
An investigation by the FIA has led to Formula One team Renault to be called to appear before the World Motor Sport Council to answer a race fixing allegation.

The charge stems from last year's Singapore Grand Prix. Renault Fernando Alonso won the race after taking an early refuelling stop. Fellow Renault driver Nelson Piquet Jr. then crashed, causing a safety car to come out. One by one the cars ahead of Alonso pitted for fuel, allowing him to move up from nineteenth to take victory.
Piquet's wrecked car is removed from the track
Piquet has always maintained that the crash was an accident. If the charges are upheld, the punishments could include a fine, exclusion from races or complete disqualification from the current championship.

Renault are due to appear before the council in Paris on September 21st, days before this year's race in Singapore. The team has refused to comment before the hearing.

Renault have already been in trouble this season, being suspended for one race after releasing Alonso's car with an unsafe wheel, which came off on the track. The team succeeded in appealing this.