Formula 1 News

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RENAULT ESCAPE PERMANENT BAN

Renault have been given a suspended permanent disqualification from Formula One after motor sport's governing body ruled on Nelson Piquet Jr's crash during last year's Singapore Grand Prix.

Piquet Jr claimed in sworn statements to the FIA he was ordered to crash his car a few hours prior to the sport's first night race, to aid the cause of team-mate Fernando Alonso.

Depite admitting the "unparalleled severity" merited permanent disqualification, the World Motorsport Council instead suspended the punishment for two years after taking into consideration the steps taken by Renault "to identify and address the failings within its team and condemn the actions of the individuals involved".

The FIA has effectively handed Flavio Briatore a lifetime ban from motor sport, as well as determining he should not manage any drivers. There are currently four prominent F1 stars in his stable.

The flamboyant Italian insisted no wrongdoing took place during last year's race in Singapore, but the council decided he was "complicit", also ruling that he continued "to deny his participation in the breach despite all the evidence".

Pat Symonds, who resigned from his role as the team's executive director of engineering last week, has been handed a five-year ban from motor sport.

Following the hearing at the FIA headquarters in Paris, the WMSC gave Symonds a more lenient sentence than Briatore as he accepted his part in the conspiracy, as well as communicating to the 26 members of the council that he participated in the event to his "eternal regret and shame".

Describing the action taken against Briatore, a FIA statement read: "The World Motor Sport Council declares that, for an unlimited period, the FIA does not intend to sanction any international event, championship, cup, trophy, challenge or series involving Mr Briatore in any capacity whatsoever, or grant any license to any team or other entity engaging M. Briatore in any capacity whatsoever.

"It also hereby instructs all officials present at FIA-sanctioned events not to permit Mr Briatore access to any areas under the FIA's jurisdiction.

"Furthermore, it does not intend to renew any Superlicence granted to any driver who is associated (through a management contract or otherwise) with Mr Briatore, or any entity or individual associated with Mr Briatore.

"In determining that such instructions should be applicable for an unlimited period, the World Motor Sport Council has had regard not only to the severity of the breach in which Mr Briatore was complicit, but also to his actions in continuing to deny his participation in the breach despite all the evidence."

Briatore currently has management contracts with Fernando Alonso, Heikki Kovalainen, Mark Webber, Romain Grosjean and Piquet Jnr.

To aid their case, Renault made the following points in mitigation:

* accepting, at the earliest practicable opportunity, that it committed the offences with which it was charged and co-operated fully with the FIA's investigation.

* confirming Mr Briatore and Mr Symonds were involved in the conspiracy and ensured that they left the team.

* apologising unreservedly to the FIA and to the sport for the harm caused by its actions.

* committing to paying the costs incurred by the FIA in its investigation.

* Renault - the parent company, as opposed to Renault F1 - committing to making a significant contribution to FIA safety-related projects.

Following the hearing, a Renault statement read: "We are very sad to find ourselves in front of the World Motor Sport Council today.

"By way of background, as a result of our own enquiries, we informed the FIA last week that we would not defend the charges and we accepted our responsibilities in relation to the incident in Singapore and we immediately took appropriate action inside the team.

"Today, we fully accept the decision of the Council. We apologise unreservedly to the F1 community in relation to this unacceptable behaviour.

"We sincerely hope we can soon put this matter behind us and focus constructively on the future. We will issue further information in the next few days."

The WMSC also confirmed the immunity from individual sanctions granted to Piquet Jnr, who apologised unreservedly for his part in the conspiracy, in exchange for volunteering his evidence.

With regards to Alonso, who went on to win the race on September 28 last year, the Council thanked the double world champion for co-operating with the FIA's enquiries and for attending the meeting.

The Council concluded Alonso was not in any way involved in Renault F1's breach of the regulations.

Speaking after the hearing in relation to the penalty, Mosley said: "I think it's the right decision.

"I think the blame has been placed where the blame should be placed.

"The penalty we have imposed is the harshest one we can inflict, which is disqualification, and it is complete expulsion from the sport.

"However, because Renault have demonstrated they had absolutely no moral responsibility for what took place - that's to say Renault F1 the team didn't know, and still less of course the company - it would be wrong in the circumstances to impose an immediate penalty."

As to Briatore, Mosley added: "It's sad because he's been in motor sport for 20 years, more actually.

"It's sad to see a career end like that, but what else could we do?"

With regard Renault's future in F1, when asked whether they would remain in the sport, as they are committed to do through to the end of 2012, Mosley issued a firm "yes."

Here is the full statement by the World Motor Sport Council:

At an extraordinary meeting of the World Motor Sport Council held in Paris on 21 September 2009, the ING Renault F1 team ("Renault F1") admitted that the team had conspired with its driver Nelson Piquet Jr to cause a deliberate crash at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, in breach of the International Sporting Code and F1 Sporting Regulations.

Renault F1 stated at the meeting that it had conducted a detailed internal investigation, which found that: (i) Flavio Briatore, Pat Symonds and Nelson Piquet Jr had conspired to cause the crash; and (ii) no other team member was involved in the conspiracy.

The FIA has conducted its own detailed investigation and its findings correspond with those of Renault F1.

At the meeting of the World Motor Sport Council, Renault F1 made the following points in mitigation:

- it had accepted, at the earliest practicable opportunity, that it committed the offences with which it was charged and co-operated fully with the FIA's investigation;

- it had confirmed that Mr Briatore and Mr Symonds were involved in the conspiracy and ensured that they left the team;

- it apologised unreservedly to the FIA and to the sport for the harm caused by its actions;

- it committed to paying the costs incurred by the FIA in its investigation; and

- Renault (the parent company, as opposed to Renault F1) committed to making a significant contribution to FIA safety-related projects.

Nelson Piquet Jr also apologised unreservedly to the World Motor Sport Council for his part in the conspiracy.

The following decision was taken:

The World Motor Sport Council finds that Renault F1 team members Flavio Briatore, Pat Symonds and Nelson Piquet Jr conspired to cause a deliberate crash at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix. The World Motor Sport Council therefore finds Renault F1, which, under article 123 of the International Sporting Code, is responsible for the actions of its employees, in breach of Articles 151(c) and point 2(c) of Chapter IV of Appendix L of the Code, and Articles 3.2, 30.3 and/or 39.1 of the Formula One Sporting Regulations.

The World Motor Sport Council considers Renault F1's breaches relating to the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix to be of unparalleled severity.

Renault F1's breaches not only compromised the integrity of the sport but also endangered the lives of spectators, officials, other competitors and Nelson Piquet Jr himself.

The World Motor Sport Council considers that offences of this severity merit permanent disqualification from the FIA Formula One World Championship. However, having regard to the points in mitigation mentioned above and in particular the steps taken by Renault F1 to identify and address the failings within its team and condemn the actions of the individuals involved, the WMSC has decided to suspend Renault F1's disqualification until the end of the 2011 season. The World Motor Sport Council will only activate this disqualification if Renault F1 is found guilty of a comparable breach during that time.

In addition the World Motor Sport Council notes Renault F1's apology and agrees that the team should pay the costs of the investigation. It also accepts the offer of a significant contribution to the FIA's safety work.

As regards Mr Briatore, the World Motor Sport Council declares that, for an unlimited period, the FIA does not intend to sanction any international event, championship, cup, trophy, challenge or series involving Mr Briatore in any capacity whatsoever, or grant any license to any team or other entity engaging Mr Briatore in any capacity whatsoever. It also hereby instructs all officials present at FIA-sanctioned events not to permit Mr Briatore access to any areas under the FIA's jurisdiction.

Furthermore, it does not intend to renew any Superlicence granted to any driver who is associated (through a management contract or otherwise) with Mr Briatore, or any entity or individual associated with Mr Briatore. In determining that such instructions should be applicable for an unlimited period, the World Motor Sport Council has had regard not only to the severity of the breach in which Mr Briatore was complicit but also to his actions in continuing to deny his participation in the breach despite all the evidence.

As regards Mr Symonds, the World Motor Sport Council declares that, for a period of five years, the FIA does not intend to sanction any international event, championship, cup, trophy, challenge or series involving Mr Symonds in any capacity whatsoever, or grant any license to any team or other entity engaging Mr Symonds in any capacity whatsoever. It hereby instructs, for a period of five years, all officials present at FIA-sanctioned events not to permit Mr Symonds access to any areas under the FIA's jurisdiction. In determining that such instructions should be effective for a period of five years the World Motor Sport Council has had regard: (i) to Mr Symonds' acceptance that he took part in the conspiracy; and (ii) to his communication to the meeting of the World Motor Sport Council that it was to his "eternal regret and shame" that he participated in the conspiracy.

As regards Mr Piquet Jr, the World Motor Sport Council confirms the immunity from individual sanctions under the International Sporting Code in relation to this incident, which the FIA had granted to him in exchange for volunteering his evidence.

As regards Fernando Alonso, the World Motor Sport Council thanks him for co-operating with the FIA's enquiries and for attending the meeting, and concludes that Mr Alonso was not in any way involved in Renault F1's breach of the regulations.

The World Motor Sport Council would like to thank the stewards and legal investigation team (in particular Dorothy Cory-Wright of Sidley Austin LLP who conducted the interviews at the Belgian Grand Prix).



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HILL 'NOT SURPRISED' BY RENAULT VERDICT

Damon Hill believes Renault's avoidance of severe punishment in the 'crashgate' hearing is part of a wider power struggle being waged in Formula One.

Although the World Motor Sport Council in Paris concluded Renault's conspiracy with former driver Nelson Piquet Junior to cause a crash in last year's Singapore Grand Prix was of "unparalleled severity", the team only received a permanent disqualification, suspended for two years.

The focus of the Council's attention was on former Renault team principal Flavio Briatore who was handed a lifetime ban from FIA-sanctioned events, and who is no longer allowed to manage any drivers in F1.

By not heavily fining Renault or stripping them of points, there is the guarantee that the team will continue in the sport.

The exit of Briatore means the man who was at the heart of the Formula One Teams' Association's threat to break away from the FIA over the summer is now off the scene.

"I'm not surprised they've let Renault off," remarked Hill, the 1996 world champion and president of the British Racing Drivers' Club.

"You can't escape from the suspicion it was all very expedient given Briatore was also one of the leaders of the pressure group FOTA.

"No-one can excuse what happened to Piquet, it's totally abhorrent. That has been dealt with.

"But it's not the whole story, and you have to put it into context in the way in which the FIA has treated breaches of the regulations over the years.

"Knowing what we know we can't disassociate this from the powerplay going on behind the scenes for control of F1, which has been going on for a very long time.

"It's a crying shame, and it has to stop because it's ruining the sport. It's utterly deplorable.

"Formula One has to ask itself whether it's just a very expensive form of entertainment.

"There is a whole book to be written on what's wrong with Formula One."

Renault's former executive director of engineering Pat Symonds was banned from motorsport for five years as he admitted to his guilt in the saga, as well as declaring his "eternal regret and shame" that he was involved.

Explaining the WMSC's thinking behind the sanctions, FIA president Max Mosley said: "I think the blame has been placed where the blame should be placed.

"The penalty for Renault is disqualification, but suspended for two years, which means if they don't do something silly in the next two years, they don't have any problems.

"The penalty we have imposed is the harshest one we can inflict, which is disqualification, complete expulsion from the sport.

"However, because Renault have demonstrated they had absolutely no moral responsibility for what took place - that's to say Renault F1 the team didn't know, still less of course the company - it would be wrong in the circumstances to impose an immediate penalty."

Renault "apologised unreservedly to the FIA and to the sport for the harm caused by its actions".

The team will pay the FIA's costs and make a significant contribution to FIA safety-related projects via their expertise.

Expressing his team's regret, Renault F1's president Bernard Rey said: "We apologise for such failure in front of the F1 community, and we hope we hope we can put this behind us."



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GRACIA UNHAPPY AT BRIATORE PUNISHMENT

Flavio Briatore's punishment for fixing last year's Singapore Grand Prix has been described as "excessive" by the head of Spain's motor sport federation.

According to today's Gazzetta dello Sport, Briatore is understood to be "distraught" at the life ban from motorsport handed to him following yesterday's World Motor Sport Council hearing.

The WMSC made it clear on Monday that the FIA will not sanction any event involving Briatore, nor will drivers he manages be granted a Superlicence in future should they continue to work with him.

In contrast, former employers Renault were given a permanent ban, suspended for two years.

That was despite the WMSC concluding the conspiracy with former driver Nelson Piquet Junior to cause a crash in last year's first night race was of "unparalleled severity".

Carlos Gracia, speaking to Spanish sports newspaper website as.com, admits he was left stunned by the sanction.

"It seems to me excessive, there was no clear evidence to indict, and he was also unable to defend himself," said Gracia.

"Moreover, I would not rule out him using the regular courts as he has been left without a means of earning a living.

"I insist, what has happened to Briatore seems disproportionate."

Of greater concern for Gracia is the immunity granted by the FIA to Piquet in return for his statements, which proved crucial in the case.

"A big mistake has been made with Piquet which creates a dangerous precedent," assessed Gracia, although not strictly true as Fernando Alonso was granted immunity in return for his evidence in 'spygate'.

However, he added: "(FIA president Max) Mosley has labelled the plot a criminal act, so I don't understand how the executor can be pardoned.

"I don't think he should have got away but Mosley explained he had promised him immunity for reporting the case and asked the Council to respect that promise.

"Even (Formula One supremo Bernie) Ecclestone defended the matter, alleging that he was a boy who was enduring a lot of pressure.

"But my opinion is different. He's as responsible as anyone for the scandal, and if he's not ready to handle situations with pressure, then maybe he chose the wrong job."

It is understood Briatore is considering his legal options.




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SCHUMACHER BACKS BUTTON FOR GLORY

Michael Schumacher is backing Jenson Button to become Formula One world champion this year.

Button heads to Singapore this weekend with a 14-point cushion over Brawn GP team-mate Rubens Barrichello.

The veteran Brazilian led home the Briton in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza nine days ago to effectively see off the challenge of Red Bull duo Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber.

Schumacher's German compatriot Vettel is 26 points adrift with four races remaining, with Australian Webber 28.5 points down, and with Red Bull's woes compounded by engine failures recently.

Seven-times champion Schumacher believes Button has the title in his hands as he said: "Looking at the situation, I would pretty much expect Jenson to win this title.

"It's very hard to take it away from him, particularly knowing the problems and reliability issues they have had at Red Bull.

"It's going to be a challenge, but the points difference is usually too big."

Although Vettel might be out of the equation, he can be proud of his debut year at Red Bull after switching from sister team Toro Rosso over the winter, winning two races.

Schumacher feels he can follow in his footsteps and be crowned on numerous occasions, although he believes the 21-year-old should very much be allowed to be his own man.

"As I proved every two weeks in Formula One, he is showing his qualities now," added Schumacher.

"He has all the ingredients to do so (become a multiple world champion).

"But I never wanted to be compared to anybody else because I wanted to be myself, as he wants.

"Everybody should quite rightly respect that."


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WHISTLEBLOWER 'X' CONDEMNED BRIATORE

The fate of Flavio Briatore was sealed on the evidence of a secret whistleblower within Renault, codenamed 'Witness X', it has been revealed.

Briatore was effectively handed a lifetime ban from motorsport for his role in the conspiracy that saw Nelson Piquet Jr deliberately crash his Renault in last year's Singapore Grand Prix.

Following a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council, it was made clear the FIA would not sanction any event involving Briatore, nor will any driver he manages be granted a 'superlicence' in future should they continue to work with him.

Briatore was invited to attend the meeting in Paris where Renault were handed a permanent ban, suspended for two years, but declined to do so, instead arguing in a letter from his lawyer that he was not a licence holder and not accountable to the FIA.

The 59-year-old's decision not to fight his corner was understandable given the weight of evidence against him, in particular from the mysterious Witness X.

In releasing detailed findings into one of the most explosive cases in sporting history, the FIA has confirmed another member of the Renault team came forward during the manufacturer's own internal investigations.

However, the FIA were not made aware of the whistleblower until just five days ago, when Renault provided additional documents.

In their judgment, the FIA noted: "In those additional submissions, Renault F1 referred to the existence of another member of the Renault F1 team (Witness X) who, although not a conspirator himself, knew of the conspiracy at the time of the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.

"Renault F1 stated in its submissions of 17 September 2009 that Witness X had confirmed that Mr Briatore had known of the deliberate crash plan before it had been put into effect."

Following the revelation, and after being granted the right of anonymity to protect his identity - only FIA president Max Mosley and the body's legal advisors are aware of his real name - Witness X was then interviewed by a member of the FIA's external counsel.

Determining his evidence was factual, Renault made a third and final set of written submissions on Saturday which was the final nail in Briatore's coffin.

In their statement, they wrote: "Renault F1 has concluded that the following had knowledge of the conspiracy to cause a safety car: Nelson Piquet Jr, Pat Symonds, Flavio Briatore and Witness X.

"Witness X was told of the idea suggested by Nelson Piquet Jr by Mr Symonds, whilst in the presence of Mr Briatore.

"Witness X objected to the idea. He did not know the plan was to be carried into effect until the crash happened.

"As a result of the evidence, including Mr Piquet's admission, Mr Symonds' responses and Witness X's evidence, Renault F1 concluded that they and Mr Briatore must have known about the conspiracy."

The council determined "that the evidence indicates that this was a secret conspiracy, kept from the remainder of the team and executed by three individuals who were acting far outside their authority and, arguably, contrary to the interests of Renault F1".

It continued: "No other member of the team was involved in the conspiracy or (with the exception of Witness X) had any knowledge of it."

The evidence laid the blame squarely at Briatore's door, and with the Italian choosing not to defend himself, the council hammered him with a sanction described as "excessive" by Carlos Gracia, the head of Spain's motorsport body.

The council dismissed Briatore's suggestion he had no knowledge of the affair, and refused to accept his version of events, ruling he was "personally and directly involved in the planning of the conspiracy".

The council further noted Briatore neglected his duties as team principal and manager to Piquet Jr.

They added that "not only did he hold a responsibility to the team, he had a responsibility to guide and assist Mr Piquet Jr in his career and to offer advice as needed.

"The WMSC regard it to be unsatisfactory that any team principal should manage any driver as it can lead to the kinds of conflicts of interests that plainly arose here.

"In this case Mr Briatore manifestly did not guide Mr Piquet Jr appropriately, and indeed allowed and seemingly encouraged him to engage in potentially ruinous and life-threatening activities.

"Taken together, the above factors, and the complete absence of any mitigating factors, lead the WMSC to conclude that Mr Briatore is not a person suitable to participate in any way in any motorsport activities under the FIA's control."

Briatore, who has apparently admitted to being "distraught" at the decision, is understood to be considering his legal options.



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SYMONDS ADMITS 'MISGUIDED DEVOTION'

Pat Symonds has revealed it was out of "misguided devotion" to Renault he engaged in one of sport's greatest conspiracies.

Symonds' thoughts behind an incident that has shamed Formula One has come to light via documents and findings released by the FIA following Monday's World Motor Sport Council hearing into the race-fix scandal surrounding last year's Singapore Grand Prix.

After 33 years in motor sport, Symonds has paid dearly for such mis-placed sentiment, initially by losing his job as Renault's executive director of engineering last week.

However, he has also been handed what effectively amounts to a five-year suspension from motor sport as the FIA will not sanction any event should Symonds be involved.

The ban was less stringent as opposed to the unlimited suspension period for Flavio Briatore in recognition of his admittance that a conspiracy with former driver Nelson Piquet Junior to crash his car during the sport's first night race did occur.

The FIA has released a letter written by Symonds, and addressed to the council, which was read out during the meeting in mitigation.

Symonds wrote: "I was the one who, when the idea was first suggested to me by Nelson Piquet Jr, should have dismissed it immediately.

"It is to my eternal regret and shame that I did not do so.

"I can only say that I did it out of a misguided devotion to my team, and not for any personal gain whatsoever.

"I consider the role I have played in bringing the team to where it is today to be my life's work.

"I started the nucleus of the team 28 years ago with only 19 other people.

"Today it has grown to an organisation that directly employs over 500 people and supports innumerable local and international businesses.

"The last thing I ever wanted to do was to jeopardise that team and the many people to whom I had an overwhelming responsibility.

"In a single action I have destroyed the high reputation I have built up during a 33-year career in motor sport.

"I am a competitive person who worked in a high pressure environment. This can, at times, cloud one's judgement.

"On that night in Singapore last year I made a mistake the consequences of which I could never have imagined at the time.

"For that mistake I can only offer all of you, and all those touched by the action I was involved in, my profound apology."

In his letter Symonds insists the idea to crash was "entirely conceived" by Piquet Jnr.

That is at odds with the Brazilian's version of events as he maintained he was approached by Symonds and Briatore.

As to who was the initial perpetrator of the scheme was not debated by the council as the conspiracy itself was the over-riding subject matter.

It has emerged Briatore's fate was sealed on the evidence of a secret whistleblower within Renault, codenamed 'Witness X', who came forward during the team's own internal investigation.

Granted the right of anonymity to protect his identity, Witness X's testimony helped the council dismiss Briatore's suggestion he had no knowledge of the affair.

They also refused to accept his version of events before ruling he was "personally and directly involved in the planning of the conspiracy," resulting in his severe punishment.




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RIVAL SERIES A NON-STARTER - BERNIE

Bernie Ecclestone believes Flavio Briatore would struggle to set up a rival series to Formula One.

Reports coming out of Italy suggest that the disgraced 59-year-old is considering setting up a new series following his lifetime ban from the sport.

Briatore was also one of the key figures when the Formula One Teams' Association threatened to form their own breakaway series earlier this year. The threat, though, came to nothing after the teams accepted the FIA's regulations for the 2010 season.

Ecclestone feels Briatore would find it difficult to garner support as the FIA controls just about everything.

"Well, he's going to find it difficult because the FIA controls most of the circuits, the key people and everything else," Ecclestone is quoted in The Times.

"When he had a following wind earlier this year, he couldn't get it done so it's going to be even harder now. He wouldn't get a following from the people that matter."

Briatore is said to be "distraught" by the lifetime ban and Ecclestone feels a slap on the wrist would've been a more appropriate punishment.

"I spoke to him and gave him the results," the F1 supremo said. "I feel very sorry for him. I thought the punishment was probably a bit harsh but I don't know how it can be changed. I don't think he deserved it. I think he should have had his hand slapped.

"I tell you one thing, an apology from him might have helped.

"I think it was pretty well established that he knew what was going on."



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RENAULT SET TO CONTINUE IN F1

Renault have confirmed their intention to remain in Formula One, despite the stain on their reputation caused by the Singapore race-fix scandal.

The team has also withdrawn the complaint made against Nelson Piquet Jnr and Snr 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.

Part of their written submissions read: "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.

"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 the manufacturer would remain in the sport.

As Malek remarked: "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 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."




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SPA FACES FORMULA ONE KO

The future of the Belgian Grand Prix appears to be up in the air again after the Spa-Francorchamps circuit had its operating licence suspended for the next 17 years.

The decision comes from the Council of State, effectively Belgium's supreme administrative court, after a noise complaint was made by a board of local residents in 2007.

It resulted in the track operators being ordered to undertake an environmental impact study, which has been described in a Council of State ruling as "seriously inadequate and incomplete".

That has resulted in the licence suspension until 2026, with the decision coming as a major shock to circuit director Pierre-Alain Thibaut.

"The whole viability of the circuit may be questioned," remarked Thibaut on lesoir.be, a Belgian news website.

"Since the filing of the complaint, the situation has changed. The circuit has worked hard to reduce noise, and relations with local residents have improved.

"It is a difficult situation, but we've made commitments vis-a-vis a range of people, and we must comply on pain of having to pay damages.

"We will challenge the government, and organise a dialogue with the board of residents."

The race was already under discussion after it was confirmed on the Sunday of this year's event just over three weeks ago that it had made a £2.6million loss.

It prompted the president of the race organisers, Etienne Davignon, to suggest the prospect of renegotiating its current contract with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, or even alternating the event with another circuit such as Germany's Nurburgring.



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MOSLEY TALKS UP TODT

Max Mosley has assured Formula One teams that Jean Todt will be a model of integrity if he is elected the new FIA president.

Since announcing his candidature Todt has so far maintained a low public profile, in comparison to his opponent to succeed Mosley, Ari Vatanen, who has been present at the last few grands prix.

However, with exactly a month to go to the election, former Ferrari team principal Todt is due to attend this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix and meet with the Formula One Teams' Association.

Privately, there is concern amongst some team members that, given Todt's previous allegiance to Ferrari, he would be far from neutral.

There are also questions about his past as Todt once flipped a coin to decide which of his drivers should win the Paris-Dakar Rally when he was in charge of Peugeot.

The Frenchman was also behind the fixing of the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix when he ordered Rubens Barrichello to slow down in order for Michael Schumacher to take the chequered flag.

In defence of the man he is firmly supporting, Mosley said: "All of those things Jean did were within the rules, as they were at the time, and were in the best interests of his team.

"The thing about Jean is when he was Peugeot he was 100% Peugeot, and when he was Ferrari he was 100% Ferrari, and when he is FIA he will be 100% FIA.

"There will be no old ties or loyalties to Ferrari, Peugeot or Citroen. He will be totally down the line, and that is the good thing about him.

"He is absolutely open, absolutely honest. Sometimes he upsets people because he says it as he sees it.

"He is not a politician in telling everybody what they want to hear.

"In many, many ways Jean will do a much better job than me, and in some ways he will upset the F1 teams less because he probably won't come up with the next big idea.

"He will make sure it all runs like clockwork and is completely fair, honest, open and transparent, and that is what you need."

Mosley insists Todt is far better equipped than Vatanen to be FIA president as he has "all the necessary experience, knowledge and great managerial ability."

Former World Rally champion Vatanen has run his campaign on the slogan he is 'the candidate for change' after 12 years of Mosley rule.

Although Vatanen also served as a Member of the European Parliament, Mosley maintains his credentials are far from ideal.

"Ari keeps complaining, and has done it several times, that I should be neutral and not favouring Jean," Mosley added.

"But he has entirely forgotten that at the end of June, when I said I was standing down, he called me up and said, 'Can I come and see you?'

"So I invited him to lunch and he immediately said 'I'm going to stand, will you support me?'

"I said 'Ari, I can't support you because I've promised to support Jean.'

"I said to him 'I'll be very honest, I think Jean is a much better candidate.

"'You've no experience, you've never run anything, you've never been in charge of even the smallest organisation, you have no concept of what it is like.

"'You didn't even run your own rally car, you had a co-driver to do that, so I cannot support you."'



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BUTTON: I'M PREPARED FOR SINGAPORE

Jenson Button is hoping several hours of simulator work will help him strengthen his grip on the Formula One world title.

Although Button revelled in the spectacle provided by Singapore's night race debut last year, the Marina Bay circuit was not one that played to his driving style or strengths.

Ahead of this weekend's race under lights, Button was determined not to be found wanting on this occasion, particularly with team-mate Rubens Barrichello hot on his heels.

The Brawn GP duo are separated by just 14 points with four grands prix remaining in the wake of the Brazilian winning two of the last three races.

Assessing last season's event, and looking ahead to Sunday's return, Button remarked: "It was an amazing experience, one of the highlights of the year.

"Driving under the lights was great fun, with the visibility pretty good, although some corners such as turns one and five were a bit dark, which made it more difficult to judge your braking distances.

"The circuit is pretty challenging and although it has a stop-start layout, which isn't usually my favourite type of circuit, I still enjoyed driving it.

"I spent some time at the factory last week driving the circuit on our simulator which helps with track layout, gears and downforce levels.

"So we are well prepared and looking forward to getting the weekend under way.

"As last year we will stay on European timing for the race weekend.

"It means staying awake throughout the night and sleeping most of the day to ensure we are alert and the body is ready to react in the right way for the evening timetable."

Barrichello is the man in form at the moment, taking 22 points to Button's 10 at the last three races, and out-qualifying the Briton in five of the last six events.

The enthused 37-year-old said: "I've had a great time over the last month with two victories, so we've got some good momentum behind us going into the final four races of the season.

"I can't wait to get back in the car and on with the challenge, and I'm really looking forward to returning to Singapore this week.

"I really enjoyed the circuit as it felt like a proper street circuit should with public roads, bumps, barriers and passing some of the famous city landmarks.

"It's very narrow in places, and you can feel quite enclosed, particularly with the bright floodlights shining down.

"It's also a very slow track, and with so many corners, you have to maintain your concentration at all times."

Although Red Bull duo Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber remain in the hunt for the title, standing 26 and 28.5 points adrift would suggest their chances of glory are virtually non-existent.

With Brawn GP boss Ross Brawn confirming a major upgrade on his team's cars for this weekend, there is every chance their hopes will finally be killed off.

"The team and our drivers performed extremely well in Monza to achieve a one-two finish at the last race and we will be hoping to carry that momentum through to Singapore," said Brawn.

"As the nature of this circuit is tight, twisty and very narrow in places we will be running the car in a high aerodynamic downforce configuration.

"So we have a significant aerodynamic upgrade for this weekend which should bring another good step in performance for the final races of the season."



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BOB BELL TAKES RENAULT REINS

Bob Bell has been appointed Renault's acting team principal for the remainder of the Formula One season in the wake of the Singapore race-fixing scandal.

Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds resigned from their positions as team boss and executive director of engineering after an internal investigation found them complicit in the conspiracy that led to Nelson Piquet Jr crashing his car in last year's Singapore Grand Prix.

Names such as Alain Prost and Olivier Quesnel, currently director of both Citroen Sport in the World Rally Championship and Peugeot Sport in endurance racing, had been mentioned as successors to Briatore.

But with Renault needing to take a more considered view on the matter, and recognising the need to have a senior figure in charge for this weekend's return to Singapore, Bell has stepped up from his position as technical director on a temporary basis.

A Renault statement confirmed: "Following the unfortunate recent events, the Renault F1 Team has reacted swiftly by implementing a new temporary management team structure, which will be in place from today until the end of the 2009 season.

"The reorganisation is as follows: Bob Bell, currently technical director, takes on the duty of team principal and chief technical officer.

"Jean-Francois Caubet, currently director of marketing and communications, takes the role of managing director.

"They will both report to Bernard Rey, president of the Renault F1 Team.

"Bob Bell will attend all the remaining races of the season and will be the team's spokesperson on all sporting and technical matters.

"The Renault F1 Team is now ready to concentrate on the future."




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HAMILTON AIMS TO FINISH WITH FLOURISH

Lewis Hamilton has vowed there will be no let-up in his pursuit of glory, despite his crash in Italy 11 days ago.

Chasing down Jenson Button for second place at Monza, Hamilton put too much of the front-left wheel of his McLaren on a kerb and was sent spinning into a tyre wall.

The reigning world champion apologised to his team after the race for throwing away a guaranteed six points, albeit insisting he was raised to never give up.

Although there is no title tilt for Hamilton this year, he is far from counting down the days to the end of the season as he wants to finish with a flourish.

"I know I'm out of the title hunt, but I want to attack these last four races, pushing for as many victories as I can," asserted the 24-year-old ahead of this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix.

"It's just part of my character and who I am. I've just always had it, in whatever I've done, especially when it's competing.

"I've always had this something inside of me that I want to win. A will, and it just keeps me going.

"I guess we can't win the world championship, just win races, pole positions and fastest laps for the rest of this season.

"And even if you don't win, the feeling that you gave it your all, it's such a great feeling.

"That's really what keeps me going. I genuinely don't have any of those days where I feel I don't want to push."

Hamilton will certainly be gunning for the victory under the lights of the Marina Bay circuit as Formula One enjoys the spectacle again of night racing following its stunning debut last year.

"Last year's race was a real example of how to host a new Formula One race - fantastic facilities, slick organisation and a unique and interesting track," added Hamilton.

"It was not only fun and demanding, but also really forced you to push to the limit and take a few risks to get the best from the car.

"I remember my race last year was all about damage limitation - I was driving with one eye on the world championship and wasn't going to take too many risks.

"I was happy to finish on the podium, but this year it's very different."

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh has confirmed his team are introducing their final major upgrade for the season this weekend.

Beyond that, Whitmarsh added: "We will then be fully devoting our efforts and resources towards next year's car."



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ALONSO REVEALS TRUST IN RENAULT

Fernando Alonso has insisted he had complete faith in the Renault team ahead of the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.

Renault have been handed a suspended permanent disqualification from F1 after it was found members of the team ordered Nelson Piquet Jnr to deliberately crash his car during last year's race, creating the opportunity for Alonso to take the win.

An aggressive race strategy mapped out by Pat Symonds, the team's former executive director of engineering, was key to Alonso's victory as it meant he had taken his first pit stop before the safety car was deployed following Piquet Jnr's crash.

Alonso was called before the World Motor Sport Council in Paris on Monday to state he was completely in the dark over the plan between Piquet Jnr, Symonds and former team boss Flavio Briatore.

And the two-time champion insists he saw nothing strange in the race strategy put to him by Symonds.

"I did not know anything about the incident," asserted Alonso when questioned by FIA president Max Mosley.

"About the strategy, I completely believe and trust the engineers, who normally have a lot of computer simulations which tell you the optimum lap to stop.

"Sometimes it's short fuel, sometimes long fuel, but I completely trust them.

"In that particular case it was no different. I completely trusted them with regard the lap on which I was told to stop, and I drove to my maximum as a driver."

Mosley then said: "You didn't say to them at any point, 'This seems unusual. Why are we stopping so early?'

Alonso replied: "Not really, because we had a fuel pump problem in qualifying on Saturday.

"I qualified 15th with more or less good pace, in a good car that weekend.

"We know if you have the same strategy as the others around you, and you are in position 13 or 14, it will be difficult to overtake them.

"So the team chose a strategy that was different. I was not really worried about anything.

"It was an aggressive one (strategy), and I was ready for it."

In all, Alonso's appearance before the Council lasted just two minutes, arguably a short and unnecessary detour en route to the return of the scene of Piquet Jnr's 'crime'.

With Briatore and Symonds resigning from Renault prior to being given lifetime and five-year bans respectively from motorsport following the hearing, the team have acted quickly to replace the disgraced 58-year-old Italian.

Bob Bell has stepped up from his role as technical director to take on the position of team boss on a temporary basis until the end of the season.

With Renault determined to draw a line under what their counsel, Ali Malek QC, described as "a black day" in the manufacturer's history, Alonso knows many will look to him to help turn the tide in Singapore this weekend.

Whilst a repeat of his race win is extremely unlikely, the Spaniard is not ruling out the possibility of finishing on the podium, saying: "The car is working well at most circuits so I believe we are competitive enough to get close to the podium, which has to be my target this weekend."




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PIQUET JR TO BIDE TIME OVER COMEBACK

Nelson Piquet Jnr feels he will have to wait for the heat to die down from 'crashgate' before attempting a Formula One comeback.

After attending Monday's World Motor Sport Council hearing into the conspiracy that resulted in Piquet crashing his Renault in last year's Singapore Grand Prix, he revealed he was hungry to return to F1.

Piquet is determined to prove he can compete at the highest level of motorsport, believing his talent was stifled by former Renault team boss Flavio Briatore.

However, the 24-year-old Brazilian appreciates no team may want to be associated with him, at least not immediately, and he may have to spend time competing in an overseas series.

"I am aware that because of this (scandal) it will be difficult," Piquet told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

"Some people will be afraid that the same thing will happen. But it was a unique case and I have learned from it.

"If I can't find a place in F1, perhaps for one year I will go to America and try to do a good job there until the waves have calmed down a bit.

"I was there in August for a week and spoke with some teams."




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I COULDN'T DEFEND BRIATORE - ECCLESTONE

Bernie Ecclestone has revealed his friendship with Flavio Briatore has suffered in the wake of the Singapore Grand Prix race-fixing scandal.

Briatore was handed a lifetime ban from all FIA-sanctioned events over his role in the conspiracy which resulted in Nelson Piquet Jnr deliberately crashing his Renault in Formula One's first night race last year.

The 59-year-old Italian has also been told no driver he manages will be granted a superlicence - which is required for them to compete in F1 - should they continue to work with him.

F1 supremo Ecclestone, who was part of the 26-man World Motor Sport Council which sat in judgment on Briatore in Paris on Monday, feels the punishment was too severe.

Speaking to autosport.com during a media event with F1 partner LG Electronics in Singapore, Ecclestone was asked how former Renault team principal Briatore was handling the situation.

The 78-year-old, who co-owns Coca-Cola Championship side QPR with Briatore, said: "He's not talking to me, I don't know.

"He thinks I should have defended him, which I couldn't."

Ecclestone, however, feels he could have had more influence when it came to the severity of the sanction.

"If you look at it sensibly, the people at the top had not the slightest idea," said Ecclestone.

"The people in the Renault F1 team had not the slightest idea. There were three people who knew what was going on and that is it. No-one else was involved.

"Those people have been dealt with, in my view quite harshly in Flavio.

"I don't think it was necessary, but I was on the commission so I am probably just as guilty as anyone else.

"On reflection it wasn't necessary. It was too much. Definitely too much."

Ecclestone, though, believes Briatore only has himself to blame as he should have admitted his guilt, along with Piquet Jnr and Pat Symonds.

Symonds, the team's former executive director of engineering, was only banned from FIA events for five years after owning up to his part in the conspiracy, and apologising profusely to the Council.

"Firstly he (Briatore) was invited to appear (in front of the WMSC) and his lawyers wrote and said the FIA have no jurisdiction as far as he is concerned, which was probably right," added Ecclestone.

"But it was not the right thing to say. It would have been just as easy to go and say 'I was caught with my hand in the till. It seemed a good idea at the time, and I am sorry.'

"There is an organisation that works very, very well on that idea, where people go to a box and confess.

"Honestly, I am a friend of Flavio's. He has just handled the whole thing badly.

"He could have handled it in a completely different way, and they would have said 'You were a naughty boy' and that would have been the end of it."

Ecclestone will at least do all he can to deter Briatore from taking the matter further as he is understood to be considering legal action.

"It would be stupid of Flavio to do that," asserted Ecclestone.

"He should ask to be heard by the court of appeal. He should appeal to the FIA.

"If he goes to a civil court I don't think he would win because the FIA would have to defend and somebody will say he sent a young guy out to what could have been his death.

"So it wouldn't go down too well."




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WEBBER TO GO IT ALONE

Mark Webber has confirmed he will not be looking for a new manager to replace Flavio Briatore and will instead conduct his own contract negotiations in the future.

Briatore was banned from international motorsport earlier this week by the FIA for his part in the 'Crashgate' scandal while Formula One's governing body also confirmed they would not renew the superlicence of any driver he still managed.

Briatore had been Webber's manager for over a decade and while the Australian was dismayed by the latest scandal to hit the sport, he lamented the loss of the flamboyant Italian in the paddock.

"I had Flavio looking after me for 11 years and I never looked at the contract since I signed on the first day and there is not many people in the paddock you can do that with," said the Red Bull driver.

"He has been sensational for me and I won't work with anyone else in the future if I can't work with him.

"He was a very good character for our sport but it doesn't seem like he will be around in the sport for a long while."

However, while Webber will miss the presence of Briatore, he is disappointed that Formula One has once again found itself in a bad light.

Renault were handed a two-year suspended ban on Monday after it was revealed Nelson Piquet Jr was ordered to deliberately crash at the inaugural Singapore Grand Prix last year.

"We all love the sport and all strive very hard to get here and it is a dream for all of us to get here. It is something we aspire to," added Webber.

"It is a shame that we are not reporting on activities we should be reporting about and it has been like that for a few years now.

"I am certainly running out of patience with sticking up for the sport and I am sure other people are as well."

Coincidentally, the Formula One season continues at the scene of that incident in Singapore this weekend.

Championship leader Jenson Button arrives with a 14-point lead over Brawn GP team-mate Rubens Barrichello while the Red Bulls of Sebastian Vettel and Webber are third and fourth respectively.

However, Webber played down his chances of maintaining his own challenge for the championship beyond this weekend..

"The drivers' championship is very difficult," he said. "Jenson (Button) only has to get four or five points on us here and it's all over."




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RENAULT LET OFF LIGHTLY

"Unparalleled severity" was the term used by the FIA to describe the worst offence in Formula One's history.

Not for the first time the punishment did not fit the crime, leaving many to feel cheated, questioning how the scales of justice balance out within the corridors of power at the Paris HQ of motor sport's governing body.

Where is the deterrent to teams and their employees when they know they can connive and plot their way to victory with little fear of recrimination?

So lives are put at risk and all that transpires is that one man is granted immunity, a multi-millionaire is free to top up his tan, another wealthy individual can return to F1 in five years, while a team walks away relatively liberated.

That is the message the FIA sent out on Monday following a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council into the conspiracy surrounding Nelson Piquet Jnr's crash in last year's Singapore Grand Prix.

All you have to do is blow the whistle, confess your sins, write a letter of apology, plead mitigating circumstances, and that's it, you're home free.

Justice? Do me a favour.

FIA president Max Mosley argued Renault's disqualification from F1 was the harshest penalty the Council could impose. Well no, not really Max, because you suspended it for two years.

Now if you had disqualified them full stop, that would have been the most severe sanction you could have administered.

Instead, the Council agreed to Renault's offer to pay all the FIA's legal and investigative costs, and take up their kind submission of supplying expertise with regard to the organisation's road safety work.

Very generous, that.

When it came to his summation of the penalties, Mosley cited one of the articles of the International Sporting Code, that a team is responsible for the actions of its employees, in particular the team principal.

However, it was deemed Renault were "not morally responsible" for the actions of Piquet Jnr, Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds.

So a team are responsible for all those under their wing, but get off the hook because they're not morally responsible. Answers on a postcard please.

Let's be clear, morality flew out of the window the moment such a despicable scam was first aired between three men who, at the end of the day, were employees of Renault.

And where was the FIA's moral duty when a senior figure within the federation was informed of the situation last November by Nelson Piquet Snr?

Not enough evidence we are told.

But then wouldn't you know it, the younger Piquet loses his job over the summer and the whole can of worms is suddenly opened.

A year on from one very dark night in Singapore, more so for the fact it was F1's first night race, Renault counsel described their appearance in front of the WMSC as "a black day" for the team.

You can say that again.





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HAMILTON TAKES THE POSITIVES

Lewis Hamilton has refused to look upon the current Formula One season as a failure and instead labelled the whole experience as "character building".

The McLaren driver is unable to defend the world championship title he won last year after a disappointing season in which he has managed just one solitary victory.

Hamilton trails championship leader Jenson Button by an insurmountable 53 points meaning he has nothing but pride to race for in the remaining four races.

McLaren arrive in Singapore for this weekend's night race with one final upgrade in place for their current car before the team turn their efforts towards developing for next season.

And though Hamilton is understandably disappointed at having to relinquish the world title, he is confident the experience has made him stronger as both a driver and a person.

"I am always pushing and I am always trying to improve as a driver and as human being," he said. "I always try to improve in all kinds of areas, not just on the track but also off it.

"I must never forget where I have come from, to be sitting here with number one on my car and having the title of world champion I can never forget where I have come from and how hard it was to get to where I am.

"I am very grateful for the opportunity to have the title. I was not given the chance to defend it this year so I have had to sit by and try to do the best job I could with what I had.

"We have had many ups and downs but it has been character building and a great experience and I plan on coming back next year stronger than ever. I am pushing my team to make sure that happens."

Formula One will be hoping for a great spectacle at this weekend's race in Singapore as the sport looks to move on from the 'Crashgate' scandal.

Hamilton finished third at the inaugural race at the Marina Bay street circuit last year and is relishing the chance to race on it once again.

"It feels great to be back, the weather looks good and the track looks great so I am very excited," he added.

"I love street circuits, so every time we have one come up it is exciting. With this being such a new circuit as well there is still a lot to learn.

"Last year went well, it has changed a little bit since last year but we should be able to come back with knowledge from the last race and do better this time.

"The last four races gives us a great opportunity to hopefully compete for wins and it will be great to get some more pole positions. We will just wait and see what we can do."





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ECCLESTONE EXTENDS DEADLINE

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has extended a deadline for Donington Park to resolve its financial issues.

Ecclestone initially told circuit boss Simon Gillett he had until the end of this month to prove the funding was in place to carry out the multi-million pound facelift required for the track to stage next year's British Grand Prix.

However, Ecclestone has now given Gillett a few extra days grace, although the 78-year-old remains uncertain the race will go ahead at the Derbyshire circuit.

"I honestly don't know. I hope so, but I don't know," remarked Ecclestone to autosport.com.

"Their problem is a financial one. It is them getting the money together.

"Everything was done and ready, and when this (financial) crisis arrived, the banks pulled the plug on them.

"The deadline was the end of September, but I think we may extend it a bit, by two or three days. I think we have given them until October 3."

Ecclestone has also confirmed that should Silverstone step into the breach, the race will still be called the British Grand Prix, not European as had been speculated upon.

"It's in England. It will be the British GP," said Ecclestone.

"Why would you want to call it the European GP? People talk about the British GP having been at Silverstone for 100 years, so why should we change it?"




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