FIA suspends Renault from Euro Grand Prix

BUDAPEST, Hungary – Renault has been suspended from the upcoming European Grand Prix after the latest in a string of safety mishaps to hit Formula One.

Governing body FIA said on Sunday that Fernando Alonso’s team had been “suspended from the next event in the Formula One” championship for failing to advise two-time world champion that a wheel nut on his front right wheel was not properly secured.

The wheel subsequently flew off Alonso’s car and bounced wildly down the track.

FIA made the decision after reviewing film and radio recordings of Sunday’s Hungarian GP won by Lewis Hamilton.

Renault’s suspension came one day after safety was called into question when Felipe Massa was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. The Brazilian driver was struck in the helmet by a stray part from another car and he slammed into protective tire barrier at high speed during qualifying on Saturday.

The Ferrari driver remained sedated but in stable condition at a hospital with multiple skull fractures.

Massa’s accident came six days after F2 driver Henry Surtees, son of former F1 champion John Surtees, died in a crash caused by a loose tire at Brands Hatch.

“We have phenomenal safety in Formula One, and yesterday was just incredibly freakish that that type of material could have been bouncing around and then bouncing at head height and then Felipe was coming, so very freakish that it should happen,” Red Bull driver Mark Webber said. “The FIA did a good job at the scene. We don’t want to get too carried away with it.”

FIA said it would review Massa’s crash since it was normal procedure, while several drivers and team principals called for safety measures to also be re-examined.

No F1 driver has died on track since former champion Ayrton Senna crashed at Imola 15 years ago and received massive head injuries.

“As long as we race with open cockpits our heads are always in the worst place and the first place that’s going to be hit if there’s something flying around,” said Kimi Raikkonen, Massa’s teammate. “This is a part of racing and we all know that. It’s just a sad thing to happen.”

Renault formally appealed the penalty on Sunday. It now has 48 hours to lodge the appeal and eight days to present the grounds of appeal.

Thirteen laps into a race he started from the pole, Alonso’s right front wheel popped off as he rounded turn No. 9.              (AP)