“The ING Renault F1 Team will not dispute the recent allegations made by the FIA concerning the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix,” said the press release from Renault.
That's more like saying “Yes, we did it, so we're now waiting for an easier penalty!”, especially as it came with the announcement of Briatore's and Symonds's leaving Enstone. The British media already started making assumptions on what will happen during the September 21st meeting of the World Motor Sport Council, with most of the journalists admitting the ruling body will basically have to think of the necessary penalties.
“Renault will almost certainly plead for clemency ... as they will claim the actions of two men should not affect the employment of nearly 700 other staff within the team," said the Daily Telegraph.
"(The) governing body is likely to accept that, by admitting its guilt and by removing the conspirators, Renault has gone a long way to clearing this matter up,” said The Times of London, while The Times' Ed Gorman pointed out that this is “one of the worst examples of pre-meditated cheating in the history of professional sport ... from ... lurid allegations to fact".
The big media agencies worldwide have also added to that speculations, with Reuters saying "Renault admit race-fixing charge", AFP revealing the team "partly admit some role in the controversy", while PA stating Briatore and Symonds have "fallen on their sword".
Briatore is also co-owning London football club Queens Park Rangers – alongside Bernie Ecclestone – which may lead to other ramifications of this scandal in the world of football.
“Will the FA (Football Association) allow him (Briatore) to continue to run a club. As a normal person on the street I think this is a clear-cut admission and I am surprised,” argued former F1 team boss Eddie Jordan.
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