SPONSORSHIP BOOST FOR RENAULT

Renault has secured its first new sponsor since the race-fixing scandal erupted earlier this year, after reaching a deal with Dutch watchmaker TW Steel.

In the wake of the ‘Crashgate’ affair in September title sponsor ING and Spanish insurer Mutua Madrilena terminated their contracts with the Anglo-French squad, forcing it to remove all branding from its cars ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix.
The team announced on Wednesday that it had signed a three-year deal with TW Steel, which will become its official timing partner.

The logos of the watch brand will appear on the nose cone, front wing flaps and sidepods of the R29 from this weekend’s race in Abu Dhabi, and on the team's timing monitors and uniform from next year.

Renault’s managing director Jean-François Caubet said: “The partnership brings great value for both the Renault F1 Team and TW Steel and confirms the team’s positive outlook for the years ahead.”
Itv f1

SENNA COULD TEST FOR RENAULT THIS YEAR

Bruno Senna could test for the Renault team later this year as the French car manufacturer continues its evaluation of a second driver for next season.
A senior source at Renault has confirmed that the team is in talks with Senna about him trying out their car for one of the post-season tests.

RENAULT CONFIRMS KUBICA FOR 2010

“We are very excited to have signed Robert with the Renault F1 Team starting next season,” Bell said in a statement.
“Ever since Robert made his Grand Prix debut in 2006, he has been on our radar as one of the most naturally talented drivers of his generation and he has delivered on that promise so it’s great to have secured him in one of our cars next season. “Renault has high ambitions and hopes for the future of the team and we feel that Robert can play a big role in fulfilling them.”

“I am very happy I will be joining Renault in the 2010 season,” Kubica said.
“I feel I have a special connection with this team because in 2005 I won the World Series by Renault.
“This gave me the chance to test with the team in Barcelona, which led to my debut in Formula 1.
“I share with Renault a strong winning mentality and feel comfortable with their friendly and open attitude.
“I’m highly motivated and optimistic that together we can be at the front of the grid next year and hopefully fighting for the world title.”

Itv-f1

PIQUET: AT EACH RACE IT WAS ALWAYS THE SAME STORY

Some people have suggested that I was blackmailing Renault to continue my career but the situation was more complicated for a long time before," The Times

"At each race it was always the same story of threatening to withdraw my contract or the renewal for the next season.
"I made the allegation so that no other driver would go through what I went through and, more importantly, so that the whole episode would be clarified the way it has been. Some people have suggested I should have been punished by the FIA but, in reality, no one has been punished more than I have," Piquet insisted.
"I am at the beginning of my career, unlike the others who have been punished in this case.
I am going to have to overcome many obstacles.
I more or less have to start my career from scratch in Formula 1." Piquet said

RENAULT SET TO REDOUBLE F1 COMMITMENT

Jean-François Caubet, the team’s director of marketing and communications, was appointed managing director in place of Briatore while technical director Bob Bell was made team principal and chief technical officer.

“I think we will finish not only the season but the year like that, and the goal is to launch the new car with the new team principal, the problem is not to find a team principal; it is to define the profile of this team principal,” he explained.
“You can have somebody technical, or somebody like Flavio, or somebody like Christian Horner.
“It’s very important, because the choice of team principal is a strategic decision.
“We took a strategic decision 10 years ago when we chose Flavio, it was a good decision, and we will make [another] strategic decision now.”
Caubet added that Renault was not necessarily looking for a Frenchman as team boss, saying: “We don’t care, because the team is 80 per cent [based] in the UK, so it’s not a problem.”
Sponsorship [revenue] is going down, costs are going down, TV rights are nearly equal, and the business model from 2010 to 2012 will be completely different,” he said.
“[So] I think we must, after the end of the season, have a true reflection on what will be the business model – for Formula 1, not only for us.
Ten years ago Formula 1 was [dominated] by the tobacco companies. Two or three years ago it was banks, but I think in the future it will be impossible to find title sponsors the same size as ING or whatever.
It’s a key problem for the future of Formula 1, and I think it’s the responsibility of FOTA carmakers to put all the figures on the table and to see what will be the future business model.”
He said Renault would be prepared to pay a bigger a share of the total team budget if necessary in an environment where costs are on the way down.
“Yes, it’s not a problem,” he said.
“Costs are going down, sponsorship is going down, so we need to look at what is the contribution of the carmakers in this kind of business.
Because carmakers cannot work on a short-term basis, they must work on three- or four-year programmes.
And if you lose a sponsor you cut the budget and you lose performance.
If you are doing business with your main partner, it can be a sponsor. But I don’t think the future for a carmaker will be having a main sponsor like we’ve had in the past.
It will be the same for Mercedes or Toyota – it’s becoming business-to-business in Formula, things are changing a lot.”
(itvf1)

RENAULT TEAM GIVEN TWO-YEAR SUSPENDED BAN

The full verdict from the FIA's WMSC
Monday, September 21st 2009, 12:21 GMT

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 cooperated 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 cooperating 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).
The full reasons for this decision, in addition to a complete recording of the proceedings before the World Motor Sport Council, will be made available shortly.

BRIATORE AND SYMONDS LEAVE RENAULT

RENAULT TEAM RELEASE STATEMENT

The Renault Formula One team issued the following press release on Wednesday:

The ING Renault F1 Team 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.

MOSLEY: DATA INDICATED CRASH "UNUSUAL"

“something very unusual” happened in the Brazilian's controversial crash.

"Certainly the data from the car indicated that something very unusual had happened on the corner where he crashed – according to the experts who look at these things," Mosley said in an interview with the Guardian newspaper.

"So there was enough there to make it unthinkable not to investigate.” Mosley said.

PIQUET versus RENAULT

Responding to Renault's claims, Piquet commented: "Regarding the current FIA investigation, I confirm that I have co-operated fully and honestly with the sport’s governing body. Because I am telling the truth I have nothing to fear, whether from the ING Renault Team or Mr Briatore and whilst I am well aware of the power and influence of those being investigated, and the vast resources at their disposal, I will not be bullied again into making a decision I regret.
I have every confidence in the FIA investigation and World Motor Sport Council and I will be making no further comment until the conclusion of the hearing of 21 September 2009."
F1

RENAULT TAKING LEGAL ACTION AGAINST NELSON PIQUET

The full statement from Renault:
"The FIA has announced that it is to hold an extraordinary meeting of the World Motor Sport Council ('WMSC') on 21 September 2009. The ING Renault F1 Team is to attend that meeting and answer allegations that members of the team conspired with Nelson Piquet Jnr to cause a deliberate accident at the 2008 Singapore GP, so that Fernando Alonso might benefit from the resulting safety car.

"The ING Renault F1 Team had not commented publicly during the FIA's initial investigation into this matter.

"However, today the ING Renault F1 Team and its Managing Director Flavio Briatore personally, wish to state that they have commenced criminal proceedings against Nelson Piquet Junior and Nelson Piquet Senior in France concerning the making of false allegations and a related attempt to blackmail the team into allowing Mr Piquet Jnr to drive for the remainder of the 2009 season. The matter will also be referred to the Police in the UK."

RENAULT UNDER INVESTIGATION

The FIA is to launch an investigation into the events at last year's Singapore Grand Prix, where Renault's Fernando Alonso claimed victory on the back of a crash by his team-mate Nelson Piquet.

"The FIA can confirm that an investigation is underway regarding alleged events at a previous world championship race,"

The ING Renault F1 Team in Valencia.

“The ING Renault F1 Team welcomes the decision of the FIA’s International Court of Appeal to lift the team’s suspension from the European Grand Prix,
However, the team acknowledges that sporting regulations were breached during the incident in the pit lane of the Hungarian Grand Prix, which compromised safety.
The team therefore accepts that the decision of the FIA to issue a reprimand and a $50,000 fine is fair and balanced.
The ING Renault F1 Team now looks forward to concentrating on preparations for racing this weekend in Valencia,” Renault said in a statement.

Grosjean confirmed at Renault

Renault has confirmed that its reserve driver Romain Grosjean will replace Nelson Piquet Jr in the second seat at the team for the remainder of the 2009 season.

"We are happy to give Romain the chance to start racing with the team,
He is an impressive young talent and we expect him to show his skills driving alongside Fernando as we take an aggressive approach to the second half of the season. We would also like to thank Nelson for his contribution during the time he has been with us and wish him all the best for the future," Briatore said in a statement.

"I am very proud that the Renault F1 Team has given me the chance to become a race driver, I'm looking forward to driving the R29 and helping the team get the best results possible. It's also an honour to be Fernando's team-mate and to make my Formula 1 debut alongside a double world champion is especially motivating," Grosjean said.

Nelson Piquet Jr has announced that Renault has dropped him with immediate effect

Nelson Piquet Jr has announced that Renault has dropped him with immediate effect , and blamed his team boss and manager Flavio Briatore for ruining his career.

Piquet branded Briatore “my executioner” and accused him of breaking a promise that he would get equal treatment to team-mate Fernando Alonso this year.

He said he felt relief as well as disappointment at the end of his Renault tenure, which he called the worst period of his career.

“I have received notice from the Renault F1 team of its intention to stop me from driving for them in the current F1 season,” Piquet said.

“I want to say thanks to the small group who supported me and that I worked together [with] at Renault F1, although it is obviously with great disappointment that I receive such news".

“But, at the same time, I feel a sense of relief for the end of the worst period of my career, and the possibility that I can now move on and put my career back on the right track and try to recover my reputation of [being] a fast, winning driver.”

Piquet revealed that his contract contained a performance clause requiring him to score 40% of the points Alonso had amassed by the midway point of the season.

With Alonso having scored all 13 of Renault’s points to date, Piquet failed to hit that target – but claims he was never given a fair chance since the double world champion did the lion’s share of pre-season testing and was often given a more advanced specification of the team’s R29 car.

“Of the first nine races that I ran this year, in four of them Fernando had a significant car upgrade that I did not have,” said Piquet.

“I was informed by the engineers at Renault that in those races I had a car that was between 0.5s and 0.8s a lap slower than my team-mate.”

Piquet said Briatore had assured him during the winter that he would have the same status in the team as Alonso.

“For the 2009 season Briatore, again acting both as my manager and team boss of Renault F1, promised me everything would be different, that I would get the attention I deserved but had never received, and that I would get ‘at least equal treatment’ inside the team,” he said.

“…Unfortunately, the promises didn't turn into reality again.”

“I am a team player and there are dozens of people I have worked with in my career who would vouch for my character and talent, except unfortunately the person that has had the most influence on my career in Formula 1.”

“I spent one year as a test driver, where I only did a handful of tests, and the next year started as a race driver with Renault,” he said.

“After the opening part of the season, some strange situations began to happen".

“As a beginner in F1, I could only expect from my team a lot of support and preparation to help me in getting up to the task.

“Instead, I was relegated as ‘someone who drives the other car’ with no attention at all ".

“In addition, on numerous occasions, 15 minutes before qualifying and races, my manager and team boss (Briatore) would threaten me, telling me that if I didn't get a good result, he had another driver ready to put in my place ".

“I have never needed threats before to get results.”

“I always believed that having a manager was being a part of a team and having a partner ".

“A manager is supposed to encourage you, support you, and provide you with opportunities ".

“In my case it was the opposite. Flavio Briatore was my executioner.”

"www.npiquet.com"

Renault working hard to turn the tide

Despite failing to score a single point at the last round, Renault are confident ahead of this weekend’s German Grand Prix. And with a revised version of the front wing they ran at Silverstone, new rear wheel fairings and an updated engine cover all set to be introduced in Germany, the team have certainly been working hard during the break between races.

"www.formula1.com/news"