Renault could follow BMW out of F1

Fears now surround Renault's future in F1 after BMW Sauber confirmed they will be pulling out at the end of the season.

The FIA made it clear the team's withdrawal could have been avoided if they had been allowed to implement planned cost cuts, and then fuelled rumours suggesting another manufacturer could follow.

Toyota and Mercedes-Benz have confirmed they are to remain in F1 in light of new financial restrictions due to come into force, leaving the fate of Renault uncertain.

Although Toyota's future has long been the centre of speculation, a Motor Corporation spokesman stated: "Through cost reduction we will continue our Formula One activities. Our situation remains unchanged."

As for Mercedes-Benz, a 40% stakeholder in McLaren and engine supplier to Brawn GP and Force India, a spokesman said: "We regret the Formula One withdrawal of BMW.

"This decision does not have any influence on our Formula One engagement."

Renault, though, are facing a major shortfall in their budget as primary sponsors ING are pulling out after this season.

Their public image took another battering on Sunday when stewards announced a suspension for the race in Valencia on August 23 after Fernando Alonso's car dangerously shed a tyre during the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Further question marks hang over Renault as there are rumours team boss Flavio Briatore has been attempting to raise the finances to keep them in F1 as an independent.

BMW Sauber could yet return to privateer hands as former owner Peter Sauber still holds a 20% stake after selling the team to the German giants in 2005.

Sauber, though, has been left reeling by today's news as he said: "I respect and accept the decision, but am still finding it hard to digest.

"The position we are in now makes it very difficult."

The Formula One Teams' Association have offered their full support to get the team back on its feet, just as the body helped Brawn GP onto the grid after Honda's demise in December.

FOTA secretary general Simone Perillo said: "FOTA teams have immediately consulted each other and are ready to assure all the necessary support to the Swiss-based team, whose membership in the Association is confirmed, to continue its involvement in F1.

"FOTA will seek the opinions of the most relevant stakeholders in order to exchange ideas and define proposals for the future of Formula One.

"FOTA teams now wish to have the necessary certainty and stability within Formula One in order to focus on those fundamental priorities for the future."

That stability should have arrived this week with the signing of a new Concorde Agreement, the commercial document that governs F1 and binds the teams to the sport for the length of any contract.

But with the FIA, Bernie Ecclestone's Formula One Management and the teams due to commit themselves through to at least 2012, BMW Sauber clearly felt now was the most opportune time to pull out.

Although there is the prospect of the team being saved, the FIA could turn to one of those who failed to gain an entry for 2010 at the last bidding process earlier this year.

Epsilon Euskadi boss Joan Villadelprat has insisted his team would be willing to step into the breach.

"The people who were interested in helping us are still interested, which is incredible, so if the opportunity arises, we are going to attack it, there's no doubt about it," said Villadeprat.

Until all signatories put their name to the Concorde, though, the FIA feel another team may follow BMW, believing their demise might not have happened if the £40million budget cap had come into force.

Initially expressing their lack of surprise at BMW's departure, a FIA statement added: "Had these regulations not been so strongly opposed by a number of team principals, the withdrawal of BMW, and further such announcements in the future, might have been avoided."

Referring to the new measures due to be adopted, the FIA added: "It is no secret they do not go as far as the FIA would have liked, but a compromise was needed in the interests of harmony in the sport.

"Hopefully it will be enough to prevent further withdrawals and provide a solid foundation for Formula One."

Following three successful seasons as a fully-fledged manufacturer team in their own right, a wretched year with just eight points in 10 races added to the BMW Board of Management's decision yesterday to withdraw.

BMW Motorsport boss Mario Theissen was fully appreciative of the executive decision made to end the team's involvement in F1.

"We would all have liked to continue this ambitious campaign and show that this season was just a hiccup following three successful years," said Theissen.

"But I can understand why this decision was made from a corporate perspective.

"We will now focus sharply on the remaining races, demonstrate our fighting spirit and put in a good result as we bid farewell to Formula One racing."

Renault could follow BMW out of F1 | espnstar.com