Monza, Italy - Nelson Piquet Jr has told Formula One investigators he was asked to crash by his Renault team at last year's Singapore Grand Prix, according to a British press report Thursday.

The team has been summoned to appear in front of an extraordinary meeting of the World Motor Sport Council of the sport's controlling body FIA on September 21.

Allegations have been made that Piquet deliberately crashed during the race to force a safety car phase, which in turn would benefit Fernando Alonso.

The Spaniard, who had come into the pits for a fuel stop unusually early in the race, went on to win.

"This comes as surprise for me. I am not commenting on it," Alonso said of the latest claim at a news conference Thursday ahead of the Italian Grand Prix in Monza.

The online version of the Times said that Renault principal Flavio Briatore and the team's director of engineering Pat Symonds met with Piquet before the race.

Symonds is said to have asked the Brazilian driver to crash in the 13th or 14th lap in a certain corner as there was no crane in the vicinity to quickly remove the car, making a safety car phase inevitable, it was reported.

Briatore denied the accusations, claiming he was the victim of an "extortion" attempt by the Piquet family.

Symonds confirmed the meeting, but said that the issue of the safety-car came up, but merely during a conversation.

Piquet, who earlier this year was fired by Renault, is said to have had a meeting with FIA on July 30 and told them of the incident.

He said that he only agreed to crash his car because he did not know what his position with the team was and he thought that if he went along with the plan he would be rewarded.

Piquet's father, who won the world championship, is said to have informed FIA president Max Mosley about the incident.

If found guilty Renault could face a hefty penalty and a racing ban. In that case it seems likely that Renault could withdraw from Formula One racing. (dpa)