Flavio Briatore says he willingly stepped down as Renault team boss in a bid to save the team.
Team boss insists he made the decision to quit for the good of the team
Flavio Briatore says he willingly stepped down as Renault team boss in a bid to save the team from a harsh punishment at next week's World Motor Sport Council hearing.
Briatore and director of engineering Pat Symonds both left Renault on Wednesday amidst allegations that they were the masterminds behind Nelson Piquet Jr's 2008 Singapore GP crash.
The duo are alleged to have ordered Piquet Jr to deliberately crash his car at Turn 17 in a bid to help his team-mate Fernando Alonso to win the race.
The allegations, and subsequent investigation, resulted in the FIA calling an extraordinary general meeting of the World Motor Sport Council, which will take place on Monday.
Renault, though, have said they will not dispute it, which could count in the team's favour, as could the departure of the two men reportedly responsible.
Speaking about falling on his sword, Briatore said: "I was just trying to save the team. It's my duty. That's the reason I've finished."
It is still not yet clear what action the governing body might take against the team and there are rumours Renault might pull out of next season's championship anyway.
As for Briatore, he appears to be beyond the jurisdiction of the powers that govern motor sport, but could potentially face legal action for his alleged part in the scandal.
