The Renault F1 team have issued a statement that effectively admits their guilt in the controversial ‘crash-gate’ affair involving Nelson Piquet Jr.

The French team have said they will not dispute allegations that their driver was asked to deliberately crash his car at the 2008 Singapore grand prix in order to benefit his team-mate Fernando Alonso.

As part of the admission, Renault have also confirmed that managing director Flavio Briatore and executive director of engineering Pat Symonds have left the team.

A brief statement today reads: "The ING Renault F1 team will not dispute the recent allegations made by the FIA concerning the 2008 Singapore grand prix.

"It also wishes to state that its managing director, Flavio Briatore, and its executive director of engineering, Pat Symonds, have left the team.

"Before attending the hearing before the FIA World Motor Sport Council in Paris on September 21st 2009, the team will not make any further comment."

Sanctions for the team in light of today’s developments will at least see Alonso stripped of his victory at Singapore last year, while the team itself are also set to be punished more severely.

Penalties could range from a points deduction in this year’s championship to exclusion from future seasons or even expulsion from the sport altogether.

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