Everything about the Renault's race-fixing controversy was extraordinary. Dieter Rencken looks at one of Formula 1's most obscure episodes

'Extraordinary Meeting Of The World Motor Sport Council' read the subject line. The announcement was the verdict of the FIA's supreme sporting body's hearing into the Renault F1 Team's self-stirred version of the Singapore Sling, and extraordinary the (various) outcomes most certainly were.

In handing down effectively no more than a rap across the wrist to Renault, which according to the FIA's own release committed an offence "of unparalleled severity", having already granted immunity to Nelson Piquet – a key perpetrator of what is considered by many to be the most cynical act ever to tarnish motorsport – the governing body risks standing accused of failing to produce a punishment commensurate with the severity of the crime.

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