Renault 'pleased' with WMSC verdict

Following a meeting in Monaco today, the FIA found Renault to have breached the regulations for having McLaren information but, with no proof they gained any advantage, it was felt inappropriate to punish them.

In a statement issued by the team, Renault boss Flavio Briatore said: "I would like to thank Renault, our title sponsor ING and all our partners for their wholehearted support during this sensitive period.

"I also wish to pay tribute to the team, which has handled the matter with integrity and dignity. We are pleased that we can now focus fully on our preparations for the 2008 championship."

The FIA's decision not to punish the team, despite them being found guilty of having the illegal information in their possession, mirrors the McLaren case from earlier this year.

At the original July hearing into the Mike Coughlan/Nigel Stepney affair, McLaren were found guilty of having Ferrari information in their possession but were not punished because there was no evidence the team had gained any performance benefit from the details.

The decision not to punish the team left Briatore baffled at the time.

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport in July, he said: "I don't understand what happened, because to begin with you would only gather the World Council if you had proof. Otherwise, if you don't have proof, you avoid such a meeting.

"So I don't understand what happened: if the FIA admits to have established possession of Ferrari material by McLaren, then why is there no retribution? This verdict reminds me of Pontius Pilate."

McLaren were recalled for a second FIA hearing following the disclosure of fresh email evidence between Fernando Alonso and test driver Pedro de la Rosa.

They were then hit with a $100 million (USD) fine and excluded from the constructors' championship.