Formula One Awaits Renault Verdict

Every bit of attention of the formula one world is now focused on the upcoming hearing on Monday (the 21st of September) at the world motor sports council. The council will come to a decision on the charges of race-fixing of the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix by the Renault team.
Renault has announced that it it will not contest the charges, with those responsible for the plan, team principal Flavio Briatore and director of engineering Pat symonds – having already left the team.

It is widely expected with the protagonists having departed, and the French Manufacturer effectively admitting fault by not contesting, that Renault will be hoping for some form of leniency from the FIA.

So much rests on the decision of the verdict on Monday. A severe punishment either financially or in terms of a ban could see the team leave the sport, becoming the third team this year after Honda and BMW.

The driver market is currently on hold, with drivers such as Robert Kubica, who is believed to have an outline agreement for a seat at Renault next year, waiting for the verdict to decide for or against a move to the team. The Williams team is also awaiting the verdict to decide on its engine supply, having negotiated itself out of the existing agreement with Toyota.

Formula one cannot afford to lose another established manufacturer team this year, having already lost Honda and BMW. Fortunately it is believed that Renault will get away with a light punishment due to its immediate actions following the discovery that the allegations were true.