Fernando Alonso has expressed surprise at claims that Renault conspired to fix the outcome of the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.
Double world champion finds allegations "difficult to understand"
Fernando Alonso has expressed surprise at claims that Renault conspired to fix the outcome of the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, which he won after a crash involving team-mate Nelson Piquet Jr.
Speaking at Monza ahead of this weekend's Italian Grand Prix, the two-time world champion said accusations that Piquet deliberately crashed in order to help him win were "incredible".
Renault have been summoned to appear before the FIA governing body's World Motor Sport Council on September 21 to answer charges relating to the affair.
"I'm very surprised. I just cannot imagine this situation (happening) at all, so, as I said, I'm surprised," the Spaniard said.
"I will not comment too much about this because the team said that as a team we will not comment. For me it's not even the time to think about, or to pay attention to, this.
"It's difficult to understand for me, all this situation and this investigation. It is just too incredible."
Having qualified for F1's first night race a lowly 15th following a fuel pump failure, Alonso made his opening pit stop after just 12 laps.
Two laps later, Piquet spun into a wall at turn 17 of the track, bringing out a safety car whose timing forced race leaders to pit and allowed Alonso through to the front.
Alonso said he knew nothing of any plans to fix the outcome of the race.
"As I said, I was surprised, but the next step is to think of the next grand prix here at Monza - and, after the hearing, everything will be clarified," he said.
"It will be the time to say something, but now it makes no sense."
When asked directly whether he knew of any plan to ask Piquet to crash, he replied: "No."
Meeting
Autosport.com claimed on Wednesday that the case hinges on a meeting, involving Piquet, team principal Flavio Briatore and engineering chief Pat Symonds, that took place on the morning of the race in September last year.
Piquet is said to have claimed that he was asked to crash deliberately to help Alonso win and agreed because he felt under pressure to secure his seat at the team.
He was eventually replaced following the Hungarian Grand Prix in July, shortly before the allegations first surfaced.
Symonds and Briatore are in turn said to have vigorously denied the claim, adding that although they had a meeting, the idea came from the Brazilian.
Alonso, who is expected to leave Renault for Ferrari next season, expressed full support for Briatore, who is also his former manager.
"Of course, Flavio has been always a nice boss with me," he added. "He's a friend. He's a boss.
"He has supported my career since the times when I was in Minardi. I think Flavio is one of the good people here and he has all my support; always."
