Renault appeal hearing date set

The International Court of Appeal of the International Automobile Federation (FIA), sanctioning body of Formula One, will hear an appeal by the Renault team Aug. 17, the Monday before the next race in the series.

Renault was suspended for one race by stewards at the most recent race, last Sunday in Hungary, after a wheel came off the car of driver Fernando Alonso. Officials charged the team knew the wheel was inadequately attached during a pit stop and should not have released Alonso onto the course. Alonso radioed to his pit crew he thought he had a puncture. Seconds later the wheel came off and bounced along the track before rolling to a stop off-course.

Renault, realizing time improvements in the R29, which Alonso placed on pole in Hungary, have protested expulsion from the next race, the Grand Prix of Europe. The race is scheduled for Valencia, Spain, where double world champion Alonso presents a huge draw for ticket sales. The race promoter has protested Renault's penalty.

The incident followed by a day the hospitalization of Ferrari driver Felipe Massa after he was hit by debris during qualifying. A week earlier, Formula Two driver Henry Surtees, 18, died after being hit on the head by a loose wheel. Surtees, son of 1964 FIA World Drivers' Champion John Surtees, was memorialized at a funeral service Thursday at Worth Abbey in Kent, England.

The appeals court's decision is expected a day after the hearing.