Renault to appeal Valencia GP ban

(GMM) Renault on Sunday evening said it will appeal the team's exclusion from the forthcoming European grand prix.

FIA stewards at the Hungaroring circuit earlier issued a one-race suspension after ruling that Renault knowingly released Fernando Alonso from a pitstop with a loose wheel nut.

Initially the wheel cover, and then subsequently the entire tire and wheel, fell off the Spaniard's R29, sparking fears of another similar incident in the wake of the Henry Surtees and Felipe Massa crashes.

In a document signed by team manager Steve Nielsen and sent to the Budapest stewards, Renault said it "formally files notification of its intention to appeal" the ban.

Renault also paid the necessary 6,000 euros appeal fee.

The actual appeal must be lodged within 48 hours of the stewards' decision, and the grounds of appeal within 8 days.