Formula 1's governing body has launched an investigation into an unspecified previous race, reported to be last year's Singapore Grand Prix.
News agencies have said the race is last year's Singapore race won by Renault's Fernando Alonso following a crash by his team-mate Nelson Piquet.
The incident triggered a safety car which put Alonso into position to win.
Piquet, who attributed the crash to a simple error, was sacked by Renault after the Hungarian Grand Prix last month.
He has since been outspoken in his criticism of Renault team boss Flavio Briatore.
If the FIA discovers evidence of foul play, it would probably call a hearing of its world motorsport council to investigate the matter.
Alonso won that race when Piquet crashed two laps after the Spaniard had come in for a routine pit stop.
That meant that when race officials sent out the safety car to clear up the debris from Piquet's car, Alonso was alone among the front-runners in not having to stop for fuel and tyres.
