Renault and Flavio Briatore decided to go on with the case in the British court a few weeks ago, when the crash-saga first surfaced in the media. Both have then accused the Piquets of attempt to blackmail the Enstone based team into extending Piquet Jr's contract for the upcoming season.
However, with the French manufacturer announcing they accept the FIA punishment for their involvement in the crash gate, the criminal proceedings against the Piquets would have no legal base (since their allegations have proved right). Apparently, Renault's lawyer Ali Malek told the World Motor Sport Council in Paris that the company will drop its case against the two Brazilians, probably in an effort to show the FIA that they want this matter to end once and for all.
“We are keen to put this whole affair behind us. Criminal proceedings were brought in France but these have been withdrawn. The criminal proceedings were filed on 11 September, for attempted blackmail and false accusations, and it was filed by Renault F1 and Briatore personally against the Piquets,” said Malek on Monday.
However, the Renault lawyer said it is only the French company who has dropped the criminal proceedings, and not Briatore. Nevertheless, with the 59-year old Italian no longer part of the team, the matter will cease to be of any interest to Renault, argued Malek.
“I'm told that French counsel wrote to the public prosecutor last Friday seeking to withdraw the criminal complaint on behalf of Renault F1. It's my understanding that the second complainant, Briatore, has not withdrawn the complaint, but it is our intention to draw the line and to do everything we can to put this sad history behind us,” added the Renault lawyer.
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