Renault admit race-fixing as Flavio Briatore resigns

Renault says managing director Flavio Briatore and engineering chief executive Pat Symonds are leaving the Formula One team, and that it will not dispute charges that Nelson Piquet Jr. was ordered to crash in a race.

Italian GP Review: Ferrari

Kimi Raikkonen: Position 3° Time 1:16.52.370 Gap +30.664 Laps 53 Chassis 279 Giancarlo Fisichella: Position 9° Time 1:17.48.562 Gap +86.856 Laps 53 Chassis 280

Santander extends partnership with McLaren-Mercedes

Monday 14th September, Woking, UK: The Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 team is delighted to announce an extension to its Corporate Partnership with Santander, with the high-profile Santander branding present on all four Vodafone McLaren Mercedes drivers.

Renault react to race-fixing claims

• F1 team accuse former driver of blackmail• 'Matter will also be referred to police in the UK'Renault have announced they have begun legal proceedings against Nelson Piquet Jr and his father, Nelson Piquet, over "the making of false allegations and a related attempt to blackmail the team into allowing Piquet Jr to drive for the remainder of the 2009 season".The action followed claims from Nelson Piquet Jr that he was ordered by Renault to crash at last year's Singapore grand prix in order to improve his team-mate Fernando Alonso's chances of victory.The FIA is investigating the claims and Renault will go before the World Motor Sport Council in Paris on 21 September, when it could be thrown out of the sport if found guilty."The ING Renault F1 team is to attend that meeting and answer allegations that members of the team conspired with Nelson Piquet Jr to cause a deliberate accident at the 2008 Singapore GP, so that Fernando Alonso might benefit from the resulting safety car," read a Renault statement. "The ING Renault F1 team had not commented publicly during the FIA's initial investigation into this matter. However, today the ING Renault F1 team and its managing director, Flavio Briatore, personally, wish to state that they have commenced criminal proceedings against Nelson Piquet Junior and Nelson Piquet Senior in France concerning the making of false allegations and a related attempt to blackmail the team into allowing Mr Piquet Jr to drive for the remainder of the 2009 season. The matter will also be referred to the police in the UK."Piquet Jr's contract for 2009 had still not been renewed by the time of the Singapore GP and Briatore fired the Brazilian driver last month after one and a half seasons with the French team.The crash at Formula One's inaugural night race brought out the safety car shortly after Alonso had pitted. The twice world champion was then able to position himself for victory.Alonso denies having any knowledge of the alleged plans.RenaultFormula OneMotor sportguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Raikkonen welcomes Fisichella to Ferrari

Kimi Raikkonen has hailed new team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella as an "expert driver" who can help guarantee Ferrari third place in this year's Formula One constructors' championship.

Italian GP Preview: Ferrari

Maranello, 9th September - The final European event on the Formula 1 calendar is a very important one for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, it being the home race for the Maranello-based team.