Formula One news

Alonso knew the plan, says Piquet Sr.

Triple World Champion Nelson Piquet claims that Renault's Fernando Alonso was fully aware of the scheme to cause a deliberate crash involving his son in last year's Singapore Grand Prix. Nelsinho Piquet's retirement in the race led to the deployment of the Safety Car, which assisted the Spaniard to victory.

With the Piquets having accused Renault team chiefs Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds of originating the idea of a crash before the race, Alonso has already explained that he knew nothing of such an idea. However, Nelson Piquet Sr. - World Champion of 1981, 1983, 1987 and manager of his son - is certain that the Spaniard was aware of the proposal.

"Fernando knew everything," Piquet is quoted as saying by Spain's Diario Sport. "Alonso could not ignore it. If you are fifteenth on the grid at a street circuit, there is no point in just hoping for the best; at most, you can pass three cars - it's a senseless strategy."

Further reports suggest that Piquet will do all in his power to 'destroy' Renault Managing Director Flavio Briatore, who some predict could leave the team even before its FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) hearing on Monday 21 September. 'Crashgate' is the second serious case with which Alonso has been linked in two years, having been at the centre of the Ferrari-McLaren 'liegate' scenario in 2007.

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