Crashgate – Singapore, 2008 Nelson Piquet went down in history as a three-time Formula One champion, but sadly for his son, Nelson Piquet Jnr., he will be remembered for intentionally crashing in 2008, as part of the team’s successful attempt to fix the race in team-mate Fernando Alonso’s favour. For F1’s first night race, Alonso and Piquet qualified way down the field, in 15th and 16th respectively. The Spaniard was one of the first drivers to pit on lap 12, on a lighter fuel load, and then just a few laps later, Piquet crashed into the wall at turn 17. The precise location where Piquet crashed – on a street circuit remember – meant the safety car had to be deployed while debris was cleared. This allowed Alonso to pass all the leaders, who took the opportunity of the safety car to pit. Alonso went on to win, and Piquet described the crash as a simple mistake, and that was how it stayed for the rest of the season. Turn to 2009, and after the Hungarian Grand Prix in August, Piquet was released by Renault, violating what he felt was an “understanding” with the team, and within in days, he claimed he had crashed on orders. Team boss Flavio Briatore and engineering boss Pat Symonds paid with their jobs, but Renault were not excluded (although they lost their title sponsor), and Alonso kept the win. Piquet jnr. was granted immunity by the FIA for coming forward. Picture: AP

Credit : AP