Governing body rejects any Ferrari favouritism

Formula One's governing body has dismissed suggestions that world champions Renault have been penalised in recent races to favour Ferrari and Michael Schumacher.

"The stewards have repeatedly demonstrated their independence throughout the season," said an International Automobile Federation (FIA) spokesman on Saturday.

He pointed to penalties meted out to Schumacher at Monaco, where he was sent to the back of the grid for impeding rivals in qualifying, and in the Hungarian GP practice for ignoring a red warning flag. Schumacher's penalty had left him 11th on the starting grid and followed a similar time penalty imposed on Renault's Fernando Alonso on Friday.

"I am surprised by the decisions we have got in the last two or three races towards Renault and me," Alonso said before yesterday's grand prix.

Renault team boss Flavio Briatore had told Italian reporters in Hungary that he feared the championship was being manipulated.

"Things have started to happen that we don't understand," the Autosport website quoted him as saying. "This happens when a team that is not winning races needs help. There is a commitment by the FIA, with the help of some teams, to play against us."

Briatore's main grievance was the governing body's decision to ban the use of a 'mass damper' system. The spring-mounted dampers, which improve performance by levelling out tyre vibrations and keeping grip levels consistent, have been used by Renault since late last year.

Renault challenged the ban at Hockenheim, with the race stewards ruling that they were legal, but the FIA then said it would appeal against its own officials. That hearing is scheduled for the week before this month's Turkish Grand Prix.