Piquet glad truth is out

Piquet Jr: Relieved the investigation is over

I have had to learn some very difficult lessons over the last 12 months and reconsider what is valuable in my life

Nelson Piquet Jr
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Nelson Piquet Jr has expressed his relief that the "true character" of former Renault team principal Flavio Briatore has emerged following the FIA's enquiry into the scandal that has shaken the Formula One community.

Renault were given a two-year suspended ban from F1 by the World Motor Sport Council following breaches of "unparalleled severity" in the Singapore Grand Prix last year when Piquet Jr deliberately crashed his Renault to benefit team-mate Fernando Alonso, who went on to win the race.

"I am relieved the FIA investigation has now been concluded," said Piquet Jr, 24, who was given immunity due to the full confession he made which brought the matter to light.

"Those now running the Renault F1 team took the decision, as I did, that it is better the truth be known and accept the consequences.

"The most positive thing to come from bringing this to the attention of the FIA is nothing like it will ever happen again."

Briatore, who resigned from his role at Renault last week, was found to be involved in the conspiracy by a 26-man Council fronted by FIA president Max Mosley and was effectively banned from motor sport for life.

Any event the 59-year-old becomes concerned with will not be sanctioned by the WMSC, nor will they grant a competition licence to a team should they employ him.

Briatore, who currently has Alonso, Mark Webber, Heikki Kovalainen and Romain Grosjean as well as Piquet Jr under his wing, has also lost his management career as no driver will be granted a Superlicence, the document needed to compete, if they associate themselves with him.

Remorse

Piquet Jr apologised and voiced deep remorse for his involvement in the affair.

"I bitterly regret my actions to follow the orders I was given. I wish every day I had not done it," said the Brazilian.

"All I can tell you is that my situation at Renault turned into a nightmare.

"Having dreamed of being a Formula One driver and having worked so hard to get there, I found myself at the mercy of Mr Briatore.

"His true character, which had previously only been known to those he had treated like this in the past, is now known."

Piquet Jr, who has never disguised his bad feelings for the former Renault team principal since his sacking in early August, was frank in his opinion of the Italian.

"By the time of the Singapore GP he had isolated me and driven me to the lowest point I had ever reached in my life." he said.

"Now that I am out of that situation I cannot believe that I agreed to the plan, but when it was put to me I felt I was in no position to refuse."

"Listening now to Mr Briatore's reaction to my crash and hearing the comments he has made to the press over the last two weeks it is clear to me I was simply being used by him then to be discarded and left to ridicule."

Determined

The Brazilian has grounds to extricate himself from his contract with Briatore and although he knows the F1 community will be reluctant to welcome him back he is determined to earn another chance to prove himself.

"I have had to learn some very difficult lessons over the last 12 months and reconsider what is valuable in my life," he added.

"What has not changed is my love for Formula One and hunger to race again. I realise I have to start my career from zero.

"I can only hope a team will recognise how badly I was stifled at Renault and give me and opportunity to show what I promised in my career in F3 and GP2.

"What can be assured is there will be no driver in Formula One as determined as me to prove myself.

"As my final words on this matter, I would like to repeat that I am so sorry to those who work in Formula One - including the many good people at Renault - the fans and the governing body.

"I do not expect this to be forgiven or forgotten, but at least now people can draw their conclusions based upon what really happened."