Renault admits fixing Singapore GP

• Renault will not dispute allegations of deliberate crash• Team remains committed to Formula One until 2012Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds have stepped down from their posts after Renault decided not to dispute allegations that the team ordered former driver Nelson Piquet Junior to crash deliberately at last year's Singapore grand prix.The sensational move comes ahead of Renault's appearance before the governing FIA to explain their role in the crash. There has been intense speculation about the role of Briatore and Symonds in the incident, which saw Piquet's Renault team-mate Fernando Alonso benefit from the deployment of a safety car, after which he went on to win the race.The Renault team itself is committed to remain in Formula One at least until 2012, but there is nothing preventing the manufacturer and parent company from seeking a buyer for the outfit.The CEO and President of Renault Carlos Ghosn earlier told L'Equipe that the parent company would not react "in hot blood" to the allegations that were made against the Formula One team. "Above all we don't want to make a premature judgment one way or the other," he said.Yesterday a transcript of the radio conversations between team engineers and the driver was published, revealing Briatore's outburst about Piquet in the immediate aftermath of the Singapore crash. He swore repeatedly and proclaimed Piquet was "not a driver".Despite this latest twist in the affair, the extraordinary meeting of the World Motor Sport Council scheduled for Monday at the FIA's headquarters in Paris will still go ahead. The WMSC may yet choose to impose severe sanctions on the team now they have chosen not to launch a defence.The FIA charged Renault with "conspiring with its driver, Nelson Piquet Jnr, to cause a deliberate crash at the 2008 Singapore grand prix with the aim of causing the deployment of the safety car to the advantage of its other driver, Fernando Alonso."Alonso went on to take the chequered flag at Formula One's first night race, his first victory for two years, and at a time when Renault were considering quitting the sport. The French manufacturer will almost certainly plead for clemency from the FIA as they will claim the actions of two men should not affect the employment of nearly 700 other staff within the team. The FIA have the power to exclude Renault from the championship.RenaultFormula OneMotor sportJeremy Campbellguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Renault confirm they will stay in F1

• Submission to WMSC says Renault did consider withdrawing• Team feels it can still make 'an important contribution'Renault have confirmed their intention to remain in Formula One after avoiding a ban over the Singapore race-fix scandal. The team have also withdrawn the complaint made against Nelson Piquet Jnr and his father of false allegations and blackmail.The disclosures were made in documents submitted by Renault to the World Motor Sport Council, and during the hearing itself on Monday in Paris. The team were handed a suspended disqualification from F1 over the conspiratorial plot involving Flavio Briatore, Pat Symonds and Piquet Jnr to cause a crash in last year's Singapore Grand Prix."Renault F1 and its parent company have given serious consideration as to whether it should remain in the sport following the prejudice caused to its corporate image by the conspiracy, in addition to the existing background of financial pressures that have caused car manufacturers to withdraw," read one section of Renault's written submission. "But it has concluded that it would like to remain in Formula One and continue to make an important contribution to the sport."Ali Malek QC, representing Renault in front of the WMSC, repeated the assertion, saying: "We are keen to put this whole affair behind us. It was a ridiculous plot, a one-off, and Renault knows nothing like this can ever happen again."This is a black day for us, but it is our intention to draw the line, and to do everything we can to put this sad history behind us."Remarkably, Renault F1 informed the FIA president Max Mosley the charge of conspiracy would not be contested on the morning of the Italian grand prix. That was just 48 hours after Renault F1 and Briatore announced they had launched criminal proceedings in France against the Piquets.Malek stated that what he described as "the Monza admission" was "unconditional and unequivocal," with no intent made for "any kind of plea bargain". Renault F1 then wrote to the French prosecutor on Friday seeking to withdraw their complaint, although at present it is understood disgraced former team principal Briatore has yet to do so.Malek further described Briatore as "a trusted head" who "should have killed off the ridiculous idea of causing a safety car".It was his submission that played a key part in what many feel was a lenient sanction against Renault, with the majority of the blame falling on Briatore. Malek insisted Renault was a victim, by virtue of the damage done to their reputation; that the wrongdoing was confined to a trio of employees; that the manufacturer could have done nothing to prevent the incident taking place; that they responded appropriately, and that such an incident would never be repeated.Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, feels Piquet Jnr could yet return to F1, as is the Brazilian's intention now the saga has been concluded. Speaking of his rival from his GP2 days, the world champion said: "He's a good driver and he's had a great career, so who knows. For sure, there are opportunities for him in the future and I can only wish him the best."RenaultFormula OneMotor sportguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Briatore expelled for life as Renault escape ban

Flavio Briatore's spectacular fall was completed yesterday as Formula One's governing body took the unprecedented step of banning the former Renault team principal for life.

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’