SINGAPORE: Disgraced formula one giant Renault has suffered a further two blows, with the team's main sponsor severing its contract and driver Fernando Alonso planning to drive for another team next year following the Singapore Grand Prix race-fix scandal.
Dutch banking group ING said it will terminate its three-year deal after Renault was handed a two-year suspended ban after former driver Nelson Piquet jnr's claims he was ordered to crash at the 2008 Singapore race.
Former team principal Flavio Briatore, who quit the team in the aftermath of the crisis, was given a lifetime ban when the FIA's World Motor Sport Council met in Paris this week.
Fellow sponsor Mutua Madrilena also announced it was ending its agreement with Renault, blaming the team's ''substantial breach'' of the sport's regulations. Like ING, the Spanish company will remove its name and logos from the cars.
Meanwhile, Renault attempted to begin drawing a line under the affair by announcing it would withdraw its threat of legal action against Piquet and his father, former world champion Nelson Piquet snr. Briatore had launched legal proceedings against the Piquets accusing them of blackmail.
Meantime, Alonso is expected to join Ferrari, and while he would not confirm that, he said his mind was made up.
Alonso has been cleared of any involvement in the race-fixing scandal.
However, the ensuing indefinite ban for Briatore and five-year suspension for chief engineer Pat Symonds means the team's chances of keeping Alonso in 2010 look slim.
Asked if Renault's performance over the remainder of 2009 - beginning with this weekend's return to racing, in Singapore - would have any bearing on his choice of team in 2010, the Spaniard was abrupt.
''No,'' Alonso said. ''My mind is already made up.''
Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo hinted strongly this week that Alonso would join his team next season.
He said it would come down to a decision between a Spaniard or a Finn - meaning Alonso or current Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen.
Alonso said he had not signed a contract for any team for 2010, but that a deal was imminent.
When he was asked directly who he will drive for next season, two-time formula one world champion Alonso replied: ''That will be a good question to answer. Hopefully I know soon. As soon as possible.''
Without Briatore and Symonds, the role of team principal in Singapore will be filled by team member Bob Bell.
''Pat is not here and Flavio, but there are two other people doing a similar job,'' Alonso said. ''The team has no difference at all compared to any other race; there are no changes approaching the weekend.''
AFP
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