Classic Singapore GP: Revisiting Fernando Alonso's Controversial Win In Inaugural F1 Night Race

'Crashgate' Scandal

Nelson Piquet Jr.'s crash was the subject of one of the sport's most controversial incidents

Nelson Piquet Jr.'s impact with the barriers re-emerged in the papers in August 2009, as the Brazilian revealed he had been instructed by his team to deliberately crash to create an opportunity for his teammate to win. The FIA investigated and handed a lifetime ban to Flavio Briatore and a five-year ban to Pat Symonds.

'Crashgate' was the beginning of the end for Renault as a constructor in Formula 1 (until their recent re-entry). They lost some of their most senior officials, main sponsors and star driver Alonso to Ferrari in 2010 as a result. Fernando Alonso was acquitted of any wrongdoing, but the investigation took some of the shine off of his win. However, his win in Singapore is arguably one of his best, as the Renault had no right to be on the top step of the podium and the Spaniard didn't put a wheel wrong all race.