Crashgate consequences at Renault leave them without 2 sponsors.

Renault’s title sponsor ING late on Thursday said it has terminated its contract with the French team “with immediate effect.”

Mere hours after Spanish insurance backer Mutua Madrilena pulled its logos from the R29 for the same reason, the Dutch bank ING said it has also decided to end its association with Renault because of the Crashgate scandal.

It is believed that both sponsors cite a clear and serious breach of contract, due to clauses requiring the Enstone-based team to comply with FIA rules and regulations.

“ING is deeply disappointed at this turn of events, especially in the context of an otherwise successful sponsorship,” a media statement issued late on Thursday read.

The statement went out to the world’s media in the dead of the Singapore night, after team mechanics had throughout Thursday worked on the fully ING-branded cars in the pits of the Asian city-state’s street circuit.

All team equipment as well as personnel and driver apparel also carried prominent ING branding as per usual on Thursday, the day before official practice for the weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix begins.

Like Mutua Madrilena, ING had previously decided not to stay in Formula One beyond 2009.

© CAPSIS International
Source: GMM

— FORMULA 1 VIP.COM Comment —

What a blow to Renault’s f1 Program. It’s hard to believe all this is happening.

Renault compacted news:

1. Flavio Briatore fires Nelson Piquet Jr. on account of unsatisfactory results.
2. Nelson Piquet brings to light, that the crash he have on last years Singapore Grand Prix, was an order from Briatore and Pat Symonds or he (Piquet) may loose his seat for 2009
   
3. The Fia starts to investigate Renault
4. Briatore and Symonds both resign from Renault
   
5. The FIA found Renault guilty of cheating, and they receive a permanent disqualification from the sport, but this is suspended until the end of 2011 (If they cheat or make a bad move, they are gone)
   
6. Renault has to pay the investigation costs: $1.6m
   
7. The Fia Banned Briatore for life of any FIA sanctioned event, and drivers under Briatore’s management will not be elegible to get a superlicense.
   
8. Pat Symonds is banned of any FIA sanctioned event for 5 years
9. Nelson Piquet Jr. is immune of sanctions
10. Fernando Alonso is not involved in any way to these scandal
11. Sponsors Mutua Madrileña and ING both leave Renault today

We think that the team received a soft punishment, and that Nelson axed his Formula 1 career.

Enjoy the Singapore Grand Prix.

Renault cars without ING sponsorship for Singapore

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