Renault's race ban

The FIA has handed former Renault Formula One boss Flavio Briatore a life ban from motorsport .

Following a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council on Monday the sport’s governing body imposed the hefty sentence on Briatore for his part in the race fixing scandal at last year’s Singapore grand prix.

The squad’s technical director Pat Symonds received similar sanctions but for a five year period, while Renault was hit with a two year suspended ban, allowing it to continue competiting.

Briatore and Symonds were punished after it was revealed they set up a meeting with former driver Nelson Piquet, during which they instructed him to crash deliberately while racing. As a result of the young Brazilian’s smash the safety car was released onto the track, allowing his team mate Fernando Alonso to leap frog his way to the front of the field, and go on to take the win.

In reaching its verdict the FIA accused Briatore and Symonds of concocting a plan of "unparalleled severity" in which they and Renault had "not only compromised the integrity of the sport but also endangered the lives of spectators, officials, other competitors and Nelson Piquet Jr. himself."

Piquet had already apologised for his involvement and was granted immunity in exchange for uncovering details about the scandal. It was also revealed that Fernando Alonso, who testified at the meeting, played no part in fixing the race.

The race is now on to find a new boss for the team in time for this weekend’s Singapore grand prix.