Renault faces race-fixing charge

PARIS, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- The World Motor Sports Council has ordered Renault to answer charges of intentionally causing a crash at last year's Singapore Grand Prix.

The ruling Friday by Formula One's governing body, FIA, said the move helped Spain's Fernando Alonso win the race.

In a statement, the FIA said representatives from the French team have been told to appear before a special meeting Sept. 21 in Paris.

"(Renault) conspired with driver Nelson Piquet to cause a deliberate crash at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, with the aim of causing the deployment of the safety car to the advantage of Alonso, his Renault teammate," FIA said.

Piquet eventually left the inaugural night race after hitting the wall on lap 14 of the 61-lap grand prix.

If found guilty, Renault faces a possible complete F1 expulsion.