I quit to save Renault, says Briatore
Flavio Briatore claims he sacrificed his career in Formula 1 in order to save the Renault team.
The flamboyant Italian team boss and his long-time lieutenant Pat Symonds both left the French manufacturer squad on Wednesday, as Renault abandoned any defence against the race-fixing allegations made by its former driver Nelson Piquet Jr.
Briatore suggested he fell on his sword in the hope that his departure would rescue the team’s future in the sport as it prepares to face the FIA World Motor Sport Council next Monday.
“I was just trying to save the team,” Briatore told British newspapers.
“It’s my duty. That’s the reason I’ve finished.”
The departure of Briatore and Symonds – who are accused of asking Piquet to cause a crash in last year’s Singapore Grand Prix to assist team-mate Fernando Alonso’s path to victory – may persuade the FIA to treat Renault more leniently than it might otherwise have done.
Nonetheless the governing body has made it clear it views the case as extremely serious and may impose a range of penalties including a heavy fine, suspension from a number of grands prix and the deduction of world championship points.
Briatore had denied all knowledge of the alleged conspiracy but had looked increasingly vulnerable in recent days when the FIA promised Symonds immunity from punishment in return for full disclosure of the facts pertaining to the Singapore incident.
I quit to save Renault, says Briatore - F1 | ITV Sport
The flamboyant Italian team boss and his long-time lieutenant Pat Symonds both left the French manufacturer squad on Wednesday, as Renault abandoned any defence against the race-fixing allegations made by its former driver Nelson Piquet Jr.
Briatore suggested he fell on his sword in the hope that his departure would rescue the team’s future in the sport as it prepares to face the FIA World Motor Sport Council next Monday.
“I was just trying to save the team,” Briatore told British newspapers.
“It’s my duty. That’s the reason I’ve finished.”
The departure of Briatore and Symonds – who are accused of asking Piquet to cause a crash in last year’s Singapore Grand Prix to assist team-mate Fernando Alonso’s path to victory – may persuade the FIA to treat Renault more leniently than it might otherwise have done.
Nonetheless the governing body has made it clear it views the case as extremely serious and may impose a range of penalties including a heavy fine, suspension from a number of grands prix and the deduction of world championship points.
Briatore had denied all knowledge of the alleged conspiracy but had looked increasingly vulnerable in recent days when the FIA promised Symonds immunity from punishment in return for full disclosure of the facts pertaining to the Singapore incident.
I quit to save Renault, says Briatore - F1 | ITV Sport
