Renault join chorus

Renault became the latest Formula One team to threaten pullout from the 2010 World Championship over FIA’s ruling which puts a cap of £40 million pounds on the team budget.

Renault became the latest Formula One team to threaten pullout from the 2010 World Championship over FIA’s ruling which puts a cap of £40 million pounds on the team budget.

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“If the decisions announced by the World Council on April 29, 2009 are not changed, we would have no choice other than to pull out of the Formula One World Championship at the end of 2009,” Renault F1 chief Flavio Briatore said in a statement.

“The decision of the Federation International de l’Automobile (FIA) to introduce two sets of Formula One technical regulations for the 2010 Formula One season has caused the Renault Group to reconsider its entry,” Briatore added, demanding wider consultation.

According to the FIA rules for 2010, teams accepting the optional cost cap will face fewer technical restrictions.

Earlier, Ferrari had threatened to pull out of 2010 championships over the issue, insisting the team would not continue in F1 unless the FIA reverses its decision.

Red Bull gave a similar ultimatum a couple of days earlier, and Toyota have also voiced opposition.

Ferrari boss thanks fans

Rome: Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has said thanks to the team’s fans for supporting Prancing Horse’s stand on the budget cap. Messages of support have poured in from all over the world.”I want to thank for the messages of support from all over the world on our website and via email,” said Di Montezemolo in a statement published on Ferrari’s official website.