Paris, Sep 22 (DPA) A hearing which could decide the future of the Renault Formula One team began at FIA's Paris headquarters Monday.

Renault was answering charges at the federation's World Motor Sport Council that it ordered its former driver Nelson Piquet Jr to deliberately crash at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.

Renault could be fined, banned or even permanently excluded from Formula One. A ruling was expected later Monday.

Renault would not contest the charges in the race-fixing affair in which Piquet has said he was asked to crash his car in order to benefit team-mate Fernando Alonso.

The team was hoping FIA took into account last week's departure of principal Flavio Briatore and chief engineer Patrick Symonds, who were not expected at the hearing.

Both Piquet and Alonso were appearing at the hearing of the council, the highest-ranking body within motor sports' governing body.

FIA president Max Mosley, Formula One commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone and Renault motorsport chief Bernard Rey arrived at the meeting without comment.