Renault also reconsidering 2010 entry

Just a day after the historic Italian marque said it will not enter F1 in the regulations remain unchanged, French manufacturer Renault has issued a statement saying it is "reconsidering its entry" in next year's championship.

Renault made it clear also that it was unhappy about the way the budget cap rules have been introduced by the FIA without consulting the teams, saying any such changes should be carried out in a progressive manner.

"There is frustration that FOTA's constructive proposals, including major cost saving measures to be adopted progressively between 2009 and 2012, which were carefully constructed by FOTA members, have been completely ignored without any form of consultation by the FIA with the teams," said Renault in a statement.

"It should be stressed that FOTA has set the same, if not lower, financial objective as the FIA, but Renault strongly believes that this must be introduced through a different procedure agreed by all parties.

"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 in next year's FIA Formula One World Championship.

"Renault also believes that it is paramount that the governance of the sport is coordinated with a spirit of consultation with all parties (FIA, FOM, FOTA) in order to achieve a better balance between the costs and the revenues. Renault is also of the firm view that all entrants in the World Championship must adhere to and operate under the same regulations."

Renault is the third Formula 1 manufacturer to officially threaten to leave the sport over the changes following Toyota and Ferrari.

Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz also said his teams will not participate next year if there were two sets of rules.

Renault's team principal Flavio Briatore said his team refused to accept the FIA's "unilateral governance" of the sport.

"Our aim is to reduce costs while maintaining the high standards that make Formula One one of the most prestigious brands on the market," he said. "We want to achieve this in a coordinated manner with the regulatory and commercial bodies, and we refuse to accept unilateral governance handed out by the FIA.

"If the decisions announced by the World Council on the 29th of April 2009 are not revised, we have no choice but to withdraw from the FIA Formula One World Championship at the end of 2009."

Renault team president Bernard Rey added: "Renault has always considered Formula 1 as the pinnacle of motor sport and the perfect stage to demonstrate technical excellence.

"We remain committed to the sport, however we cannot be involved in a championship operating with different sets of rules, and if such rules are put into effect, we will be forced to pull out at the end of this season."