Renault responds...

Meanwhile, a telemetry read-out from Piquet's car on Lap 14 in Singapore is doing the rounds of the media centre and it is very suspicious. It is clear the driver floored the throttle - and kept it floored - before the apex of the turn, which makes it look like he wanted to spin the rear wheel intentionally. 

Excerpts of Pat Symonds interview with the FIA and Quest in Spa have been leaked. About the telemetry, it was said:

FIA adviser: Would it suggest to you a deliberate crash?

Symonds: I'm not sure I've ever seen a deliberate crash, so I.... It's very unusual data.

FIA adviser: Counter-intuitive for a driver to put his foot full on the throttle when he's in a deep (wheel)spin like that, Mr. Symonds?

Symonds: It is. yes, when he has that much wheelspin, it's counter-intuitive.

The Symonds statement is full of "I don't remembers"s, "I won't comment on that"s and "I can't comment on that"s which will do Renault's defense little good.

Symonds: I have no intention of lying to you. I have not lied to you, but I have reserved my position just a little.

FIA adviser: And you're aware that the stewards may draw conclusions from your unwillingness to assist them in relation to what went on in that meeting?

Symonds: I would expect them to. I would absolutely expect that.

Symonds has stated that the plan of a deliberate crash was discussed before the race but that it was Nelson's idea. Whether or not that is the case, or can be proved either way, it seems an admission of involvement.

Pat seems to be shielding Flavio Briatore by not answering the more important questions, preparing to take a bullet for his boss. Briatore denies any knowledge of a conspiracy and claims the meeting before the race was designed to get Nelson to focus on his racing. He did give this somewhat bizarre quote: "I never talk with Nelsinho. I never talk about to crashing the car. He's never coming to me tell me 'Flavio, Jesus Christ, I crash the car, you won the race, can you renew my contract?'

"You know, if somebody do you a favor like that, I just.... You renew the contract."

Hmmmm. 

The hearing on the 21st will be most interesting but it's pretty clear that Pat Symonds is facing a ban from motor racing and Flavio could be facing the same. As for Renault, they are in dire straits financially and, rumour has it, close to pulling out. It would be a big blow to the sport to lose another team. Fining or banning Renault would achieve that, no doubt. 

If I was the FIA I'd offer Renault a deal whereby no penalty is given - apart from the dismissal of Briatore and Symonds - but that the manufacturer has to commit to F1 for another five years and it has to resign from FOTA.