Organizers of the Valencia round of the World Championship have called for a re-think of the ban imposed on the Renault team and, more importantly, its star driver, Fernando Alonso.

The event in Valencia, which is already struggling to attract the fans, would be dealt a massive blow if Alonso were to be prevented from racing in front of his adoring local fans.

Consequently, Valmor Sport, organizer of the Valencia event, has called on FIA officials to re-think the ban.

"We believe that while safety is the priority it is also necessary to think of the fans," said Valmor Sport's vice-president Jorge Martinez Aspar, according to sections of the Spanish media. "As everyone knows, many of them have bought tickets to see Fernando Alonso race in Valencia. We don't think they should be the ones to pay for this decision.

"It would be a shame if he wasn't in the race," he added, "and we are confident he could be there, although we recognise it will be difficult after all the other incidents that happened last weekend."

Of course, while the Spanish fans may well be disappointed not to see their hero in action next month it is fair to say that they would be even more disappointed should a wheel fly off his car and land in the crowd, and it for this that Race Officials in Hungary imposed the penalty.

Yes, the wishes of the fans are important - if only organizers and the powers that be would recognise this more often - however, safety is sacrosanct and yesterday's incident, coming in the wake of the dreadful, freakish, accidents involving Henry Surtees and Felipe Massa, highlights the fact that nobody, even if they employ two-time World Champions, can take unnecessary risks.