Briatore out at Renault, team not disputing charge
LONDON — Renault split with team principal Flavio Briatore on Wednesday and said it would not contest a charge that Nelson Piquet Jr. was ordered to crash during a Formula One race.
Renault, however, still must attend a World Motor Sport Council hearing on Monday in Paris to discover its punishment for the crash that helped Fernando Alonso win last year's Singapore Grand Prix.
Renault could be thrown out of F1, but the dual departure of Briatore and engineering executive director Pat Symonds appears to be a move aimed at reducing the penalty.
"The ING Renault F1 team will not dispute the recent allegations made by the FIA concerning the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix," the team said in a statement. "It also wishes to state that its managing director, Flavio Briatore, and its executive director of engineering, Pat Symonds, have left the team."
Piquet Jr., who was fired by Renault last month after 1 1/2 seasons with the team, crashed on the 13th lap of last year's race. Alonso secured an unlikely victory as other cars came in to refuel while the Spanish driver had enough fuel to move ahead of the field.
Governing body FIA began investigating last month, and offered Piquet Jr. immunity against prosecution in return for his testimony. Data showed Piquet Jr. accelerating into the crash, rather than braking.
Last week, Briatore denied any wrongdoing and started legal proceedings in France against Piquet Jr. and his father, three-time world champion Nelson Piquet, for making false allegations and attempted blackmail.
Briatore, a 58-year-old Italian, started out at the Benetton F1 team in 1988, overseeing Michael Schumacher's world title triumphs in 1994 and 1995 as team principal. He left Benetton in 1997 but helped Renault buy the team in 2000 and he was appointed managing director.
In 2005 and '06, Briatore helped the French manufacturer and Alonso become world champions.
Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone, a co-owner of English soccer club Queens Park Rangers with Briatore, said he felt sorry for the Italian.
"Obviously, I'm surprised at what has happened, and I'm taken by surprise today that they've decided to walk away," Ecclestone said. "I've no idea what will happen. We'll have to wait and see."
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Renault F1 team boss Flavio Briatore and engineering director Pat Symonds have both split ways with the team. The move comes as Renault announce they will not fight a charge of race-fixing.
Marina Bay Street Circuit while Alonso moves towards victory. 
Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) accused Renault of ordering Nelson Piquet, Jr. to crash during the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix. The wreck brought out the safety car and most other competitors made refueling stops while it was out. However, Renault's Fernando Alonso had pitted unusually early and was able to move up to take one of just two victories that year.
The safety car during its critical appearance at the race. 
The FIA interviewed Piquet after an investigation was triggered by claims published by Globo TV. Piquet's interview was leaked, and he placed the blame squarely on Briatore and Symonds.

"The proposal to deliberately cause an accident was made to me shortly before the race took place, when I was summoned by Mr. Briatore and Mr. Symonds in Mr. Briatore’s office... When I was asked to crash my car I accepted because I hoped it could improve my position within the team at this critical time in the race season," Piquet said in the interview.

Piquet further stated that he received no assurances he would still be racing for Renault in 2009. Although he continued to race for Renault in 2009, he was sacked midway through the current season.

Renault will discover their punishment at a hearing before the World Motor Sport Council in Paris, France. They face the possibility of being banned from Formula One. Piquet has received immunity from the FIA for his testimony. Data showed Piquet accelerating into the wall instead of braking as he approached it.

Briatore has a long history with Renault. He started off with Benetton Formula in 1988 and was team principal for Michael Schumacher's 1994 and 1995 world title wins. He left in 1997 but Renault made him head again after he helped the French firm buy the team in 2000. He was there for Alonso's world championship wins in 2005 and 2006.