Briatore resigned, says Renault official

A high-ranking Renault official has recognised that the negativity of the Singapore 2008 'crashgate' allegations, the departure of Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds, and the consequent fallout are hitting the French carmaker's reputation hard...  

Renault F1 future at stake as FIA meets

Formula One's (F1) governing body opened a hearing on Monday into the conduct of French team Renault at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix following the assertions of driver Nelson Piquet that he was ordered to crash during the race.

F1 levels two-year ban for Renault team’s race-fixing

Fernando Alonso cleared, but ‘ING Renault F1 team admitted that the team had conspired with its driver Nelson Piquet Jr. to cause a deliberate crash at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix’

F1 levels two-year ban for Renault team’s race-fixing

Fernando Alonso cleared, but ‘ING Renault F1 team admitted that the team had conspired with its driver Nelson Piquet Jr. to cause a deliberate crash at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix’

Renault given suspended ban

• Flavio Briatore also banned from motor sport for life• Renault's breach is of 'unparalleled severity' says FIARenault have been given a two-year ban, suspended until 2011, from competing in Formula One for fixing last year's Singapore grand prix while Flavio Briatore, who resigned as the team's principal for his role in the affair, has effectively been banned from the sport for life.The World Motor Sport Council delivered its ruling following a meeting at the FIA's headquarters in Paris this morning. Nelson Piquet Jr – the driver at the centre of Crashgate – and Fernando Alonso, who subsequently went onto win in Singapore, were in attendance but have escaped punishment themselves. Piquet was never in danger of sanction as he provided evidence to the WMSC on the basis of immunity.Briatore, who resigned as Renault team principal last week for his part in the affair, has, though, been severely punished. The WMSC ruled today that anyone licenced with the FIA can never again work with the Italian. A similar sanction has also been imposed on Renault's former director of engineering Pat Symonds, who also resigned over Crashgate, although his ban only lasts for five years."We consider Renault's breaches to be of severity," read an WMSC statement. The full verdict of the panel can be read hereRenaultFlavio BriatoreFormula OneMotor sportOwen Gibsonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Renault avoids major punishment for ordering crash

Renault escaped severe punishment Monday for ordering former driver Nelson Piquet Jr. to deliberately crash, receiving only a suspended two-year ban from Formula One's governing body.