Renault escapes penalty
"The ING Renault F1 Team welcomes the decision of the FIA World Motor Sport Council to impose no penalty on the team following its acknowledged breach of Article 151c of the International Sporting Code.
"ING Renault F1 Team Managing Director Flavio Briatore commented: “I would like to thank Renault, our title sponsor ING and all our partners for their wholehearted support during this sensitive period.
"I also wish to pay tribute to the team, which has handled the matter with integrity and dignity. We are pleased that we can now focus fully on our preparations for the 2008 championship." Source Renault / FIA
12/06/07 Renault have escaped punishment for their role in the spy scandal, despite being found guilty of fraudulent conduct.
The decision by the World Motor Sport Council in Monaco paves the way for Fernando Alonso to potentially return to the team.
It is understood Alonso, who recently quit McLaren in the wake of a turbulent year with the team, has been waiting on this verdict.
Renault found themselves facing a charge of fraudulent conduct, namely being found in unauthorized possession of confidential technical information belonging to McLaren.
But despite being found guilty of the charge, the Council have decided not to impose any sanctions on the team.
A simple FIA statement read: "The World Council found Renault F1 to be in breach of article 151c of the International Sporting Code, but imposed no penalty.
"Detailed reasons for this decision will be issued on December 7, 2007."
The verdict is a remarkable mirror-image of the decision initially taken against McLaren in July when they were found guilty of being in unauthorized possession of technical information belonging to Ferrari.
However, due to lack of evidence, McLaren avoided punishment, but were warned by the FIA that if the information stolen from Ferrari was found to be used in the future, they could face exclusion from the championship.