Hamburg - Team boss Flavio Briatore and chief engineer Pat Symonds quit on Wednesday as the Renault Formula One team effectively admitted to race fixing. Former Renault driver Nelson Piquet Jr was reportedly asked by Symonds to crash his car at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix in order to help teammate Fernando Alonso win the race.
"The ING Renault F1 Team will not dispute the recent allegations made by the FIA concerning the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix," Renault said in a short statement.
"It also wishes to state that its managing director, Flavio Briatore and its executive director of engineering, Pat Symonds, have left the team."
Renault said it won't comment further on the affair until a hearing before the ruling body FIA which is set for Monday.
Possible sanctions including expulsion from this year's championship or a big fine. This could mean the end of Renault's engagement in the sport.
The affair could also end the motorsport career of Briatore after two decades.
The 59-year-old led the Benetton team since 1989. The team was sold to Renault in 2001 where he stayed on the job. Under his reign, Michael Schumacher won his first two of seven world titles in a Benetton and Alonso got two titles in a Renault.
Briatore is also known for his playboy image, with former girlfriends including supermodels Heidi Klum and Naomi Campbell.
Briatore had denied any wrongdoing in the fixing affair and Renault last week announced a lawsuit against Piquet Jr and his father, former world champion Nelson Piquet, "concerning the making of false allegations and a related attempt to blackmail the team."
Piquet Jr was sacked a Renault in early August.
In the incident, Symonds is said to have asked the Brazilian driver to crash in the 13th or 14th lap in a certain corner as there was no crane in the vicinity to quickly remove the car, making a safety car phase inevitable, it was reported.
Starting from 15th place on the grid due to a fuel problem in qualifying, Alonso pitted in the 13th lap before Piquet crashed in the 15th lap. The other favourites had to pit during the safety car stage as Alonso went on to win.
The FIA seemingly offered Piquet Jr and Symonds immunity of they told the FIA the truth in the latest affair rocking F1.
