Renault appeal begins in Paris

Engineering director Pat Symonds and technical director Bob Bell are representing the French manufacturer at the hearing, with race director Charlie Whiting appearing on behalf of the FIA.

The team was given a one-race ban by the FIA after it was found to be in violation of Article 23.1, which calls for cars to be released from a pitstop only "when it is safe."

Fernando Alonso was sent out from his first stop in the Hungarian Grand Prix before his front right wheel was securely fastened to the car. The wheel came away from the car at Turn 9.

The race stewards said Renault knowingly released Alonso "without one of the retaining devices for the wheel-nuts being securely in position" and then failed to inform Alonso of the problem.

The FIA then reviewed television footage and radio recordings and decided to suspend Renault for one grand prix.

The incident happened the day after Felipe Massa was hospitalised after being struck on the helmet by a spring that had dislodged from Rubens Barrichello's Brawn, and one week after Henry Surtees was killed after being hit on the head by a flying wheel in Formula 2.

If Renault's appeal is unsuccessful, the team will have to sit out the Valencia street race which is Fernando Alonso's second home round of the season.

If the team is granted permission to race in Spain, it is expected to announce GP2 racer Romain Grosjean's promotion to replace Nelson Piquet, who revealed two weeks ago that he has been dropped.

The verdict of the hearing is not expected to be revealed until Tuesday.

Read AUTOSPORT's analysis of Renault's infringement, here.