Briatore to quit

(GMM) In mid-2005, Renault managing director Flavio Briatore may walk away from the team and Formula One. The charismatic Italian admitted at the launch of a new car in Monaco that the R25's speed in Melbourne would likely influence a final decision. He said: ''Sixteen years in F1 is a long time — I have to decide if I want to relax now.'' Speculation said Briatore is not keen to continue at a team without the absolute support of the owner, French car manufacturer Renault. New chief Carlos Ghosn is not an F1 fan.

“I don't know where this comes from," said Patrick Faure, referring to reports that Ghosn does not like F1. “I have discussed it with him very clearly and he has said, ‘go on'. He said he is interested if we have results. If we have good results then we are there, especially if we can find a way of reducing costs which we have started now. But he is not pro or anti F1 – he is pro good results for Renault which happen to be a good investment. Nobody can be sure about 2008. The only thing I am sure is that for the moment nothing is clear about what is happening after 2008 – so let's clarify what will happen, see what championship we are going to have and then we will discuss the participation of teams like Renault, Honda and Ferrari." [Editor's Note: AutoRacing1.com sources have told us that Renault may indeed be on the way out of F1 before long. Ghosn wants results. How many races is Renault going to win?]