16-Sep-09: Briatore and Symonds Leave Renault

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Welcome to F1 Minute, it’s the 16th September 2009.

Just when you thought there couldn’t possibly be anymore Renault news before the hearing next week, today the team confirmed that Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds have left. A statement by Renault said: “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 it’s managing director, Flavio Briatore and its executive director of engineering, Pat Symonds, have left the team.” Of course, this raises so many more questions than it answers, but the team have said they won’t comment further until after the hearing on Monday.

Elsewhere, Luca di Montezemolo has said that a FOTA conference later this year must address the falling ticket sales, and lack of testing to make Formula 1 more attractive to fans again. He also talks about the three teams thing again, but I prefer the other stuff!

That’s it for today, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.