According to this article on F1's official website: http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/9/9940.html
From multiple sources: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/formulaone/article-1213878/FORMULA-ONE-Renault-accept-race-fixing-charge-flamboyant-Flavio-Briatore-leaves-team-boss.html It appears they DID fix the race and have thrown 'ol Flav under the bus!
Yes Joe just read this: The ING Renault F1 Team has announced that it will not dispute the recent allegations made by the FIA concerning the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.It also wishes to state that its managing director, Flavio Briatore and its executive director of engineering, Pat Symonds, have left the team. Before attending the hearing before the FIA World Motor Sport Council in Paris on 21 September 2009, the team will not make any further comment.
You know...that was my initial reaction as well. It REALLY is the F1 circus. And MM is the head clown.
That's true; not to mention the fact that now EVERY manufacturer will be reconsidering interest in the sport. It's not just Briatore's reputation here. Renault the brand will now be associated with cheating in motorsport.
That text is Renault's response - it's their statement in full... Oh dear - sad day for the sport. Not sure we should be angry with Renault - they are guilty by association for sure, but the real blame rests with Flabby and Symonds.
there's nothing else to add, they just said they are guilty... Now they need to know if everyone in the team was aware of the plan. But among all, will the team be banned from F1 ?
I think this response is their attempt at damage control. Get rid of Flav and Sym before next Monday's meeting and 'hope' the FIA go easier on them.
Seems that a deal has been reached and the hearing will be a formality. I'll miss Flav. F1 just got a bit blander and even more corporate
Edit: Please refer to this thread, sorry! http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=257886 http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8258987.stm Flavio Briatore has left his position as boss of the Renault team after they decided not to contest charges of fixing the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix. Executive director of engineering Pat Symonds has also left the team. Renault were summoned by governing body, the FIA, after Nelson Piquet Jr claimed he had been asked to crash to help team-mate Fernando Alonso's race. It is not known if Renault must still face the World Motor Sport Council in Paris on Monday to answer the charges Renault had been called to answer charges that they "conspired with its driver, Nelson Piquet Jr, 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." Piquet crashed two laps after the Spaniard had come in for a routine pit stop. That meant that when race officials sent out the safety car to clear up the debris from Piquet's car, Alonso was alone among the front-runners in not having to stop for fuel and tyres. Renault's double world champion went on to take the chequered flag at Formula 1's inaugural night race and claim his first victory in two years. More soon
PlanetF1 has the radio transmission transcripts re the crash-hardly seems planned-unless that reaction was scripted also. 2 massive cheating scandals in 3 years leaves F1 with 2 black eyes but its the same in every sport-just a reflection of human nature and society in general. My interest wanes a little more each year.......
interesting photoshop here: http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_item.php?fes_art_id=39027 this should allow the "rescued" BMW - Sauber/Qadbak team the space on the grid as I suspect Renault will cease to exist in F1 after November now we need results from yesterday's hearing about Mosley stating the "new teams" had to use Cosworth engines or not accepted .....hope this one didn't slide under the table at the hearing Carol