Fernando Alonso

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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Fernando Alonso wants to set up a professional cycling team, according to Italian and Spanish reports on Monday.

Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport, as well as the Spanish sports newspaper Marca, claim the Spanish champion is keen to establish a team in time for next season.

Alonso reportedly wants 2007 Tour de France winner Alberto Contador, who currently rides for the top outfit Astana, to front the team, to be backed by the 2010 Ferrari sponsor Santander.

Fernando Alonso is a cycling enthusiast, training in the recent winter period with fellow Spaniard and 2008 Tour de France winner Carlos Sastre’s Cervelo team.

Alonso also watched the beginning of this year’s Tour in Monaco and followed the stage in a chase car, and reportedly held talks there about his plans with Contador.

Silverstone, 18 June 2009 - Since the formation of FOTA last September the teams have worked together and sought to engage the FIA and commercial rights holder, to develop and improve the sport. 

Unprecedented worldwide financial turmoil has inevitably placed great challenges before the F1 community.  FOTA is proud that it has achieved the most substantial measures to reduce costs in the history of our sport.   

In particular the manufacturer teams have provided assistance to the independent teams, a number of which would probably not be in the sport today without the FOTA initiatives.  The FOTA teams have further agreed upon a substantial voluntary cost reduction that provides a sustainable model for the future. 

Following these efforts all the teams have confirmed to the FIA and the commercial rights holder that they are willing to commit until the end of 2012.   

The FIA and the commercial rights holder have campaigned to divide FOTA.  

The wishes of the majority of the teams are ignored. Furthermore, tens of millions of dollars have been withheld from many teams by the commercial rights holder, going back as far as 2006. Despite this and the uncompromising environment, FOTA has genuinely sought compromise. 

It has become clear however, that the teams cannot continue to compromise on the fundamental values of the sport and have declined to alter their original conditional entries to the 2010 World Championship. 

These teams therefore have no alternative other than to commence the preparation for a new Championship which reflects the values of its participants and partners.  This series will have transparent governance, one set of regulations, encourage more entrants and listen to the wishes of the fans, including offering lower prices for spectators worldwide,   partners and other important stakeholders.   

The major drivers, stars, brands, sponsors, promoters and companies historically associated with the highest level of motorsport will all feature in this new series. 

Note to Eds: Statement issued by FOTA on behalf of BMW-Sauber, BrawnGP, Scuderia Ferrari, McLaren-Mercedes, Red Bull Racing, Renault, Scuderia Toro Rosso, Toyota.