Alonso, who began the race on poll, dramatically lost his right-front wheel during lap 13. Fortunately the wheel bounced safely off the track, but Fernando Alonso was later forced to withdraw due to the damage caused to his car.
The incident comes just a week after the fatal accident in which Henry Surtees was hit by a stray wheel, and just a day after Felipe Massa suffered serious head injuries when hit by debris during a qualifying lap.
Renault seem certain to appeal against the punishment, which will see Alonso and team-mate Nelson Piquet Jr will miss the Valencia race on Aug 23. Explaining their decision, FIA stewards said Renault failed to “ensure their cars comply with the conditions of eligibility and safety throughout practice and the race.”
A statement read: “The competitor [Renault] 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, they failed to take any action to prevent the car from leaving the pit lane.
“They 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.”
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