'A massive own goal for Piquet'

Grand Prix driver Nelson Piquet Jr would be unemployable if Renault are found guilty of ordering the Brazilian to crash during a race. That is the view of Martin Brundle, the former Williams driver and TV commentator. Renault have been accused of interfering with the outcome of last year's Singapore Grand Prix to aid their driver and eventual winner, Fernando Alonso. The team have been called before an extraordinary meeting of the World Motor Sport Council in Paris on September 21.

Speculation over what punishment will be handed out has included a year ban from racing for Renault, while Brundle believes Piquet will struggle to secure a drive again if a guilty verdict is returned. "We don't know the facts yet, and I think it will be shocking if it is proved to be the case," said Brundle. "There are secondary impacts there - Felipe Massa probably would have won the World Championship last year if that hadn't happened.

"Much more significantly, that is something that should not take place in sport. "It is like kicking the ball out of the rough in golf. "At the moment it is all speculation, but the fact [Renault] have been called up means there must be some kind of doubt. "At the time I remember us all saying 'Well, that was all very convenient, but those thing happen in sport'. "The thing that confuses me most about the whole issue is that it is a massive own goal from Piquet.

"He will be unemployable if it is the case. "If it is deemed he did spin-off intentionally, he will be complicit in the whole thing." Brundle will host the Abu Dhabi Chequered Flag ball at the Intercontinental Hotel on October 29 along with David Coulthard. [e-mail]