Two Renault deals hit the buffers following Singapore GP scandal ruling

The scandal surrounding Renault's Formula 1 team, following its decision not to contest charges laid against it on Monday by the sport's governing body, the Fédération International de l'Automobile (FIA), has proven to be too big a barrier to allow two major sponsors to continue with their sponsorship of the team. Two of Renault's major sponsors have said they are withdrawing from sponsorship deals.

Dutch banking giant ING, which had already announced that its contract would finish at the end of the current season, said that "in light of the verdict of the World Motor Sport Council of 21st September, 2009, concerning the events that occurred at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, ING will terminate the contract with Renault Formula 1 with immediate effect". The statement continued: "ING is deeply disappointed at this turn of events, especially in the context of an otherwise successful sponsorship. Avoided "As announced on 16 February of this year, ING decided not to renew the three year sponsorship (2007-2009) contract with Renault F1 and to end its presence in Formula 1 after the 2009 season". In fact, Renault had avoided a heavy fine and expulsion from F1 at the hearing - but were given a suspended sentence instead. Team principal Flavio Briatore was not so fortunate: he was handed a lifetime ban from the sport. Chief engineer Pat Symonds received a five year ban for his part in ordering Nelson Piquet Jr. to crash, thus enabling team mate Fernando Alonso to win the race.     Spanish insurance company Mutua Madrilena also made clear that its decision to terminate its contract with Renault was based on Monday's decision by the FIA that Renault had deliberately crashed one of its cars during last year's Singapore Grand Prix. In a harshly worded statement, the company said: " ... the conduct of relevant people within the team had been of extraordinary graveness and had compromised not only the integrity of the sport but also endangered spectators, drivers and racetrack personnel". It went on: "Mutua Madrilena has communicated to Renault F1 Team Limited the early termination of its sponsorship contract with the team", adding that its contract had stipulated that Renault "must abide by all the rules and regulations of the FIA".