Ecclestone wants 'balance'

In the build-up to one of the most important days in the sport's history, Ecclestone felt Renault had acted responsibly last week. The Anglo-French manufacturer confirmed they would not dispute the charge of conspiring with former driver Nelson Piquet Junior to cause a crash in last year's Singapore Grand Prix. Most notably, Ecclestone felt the departure from office of Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds as team principal and executive director of engineering was crucial.

"I think we need to show balance," said Ecclestone. "What they did was very serious. There can be no excuse, but they have acted quickly to get rid of the culprits, and that must be borne in mind."

Ecclestone was one of the last of the major players to arrive at FIA headquarters in Paris, preceded by FIA president Max Mosley and Renault's F1 president Bernard Rey - surrounded by lawyers - and succeeded by Piquet Junior.

Fernando Alonso was also present, the double world champion called to give evidence.

Piquet Jnr claimed in sworn statements to the FIA he was ordered to crash his car in a meeting with Briatore and Symonds a few hours prior to the sport's first night race to aid the cause of team-mate Alonso.

Neither Briatore nor Symonds was present today as they are no longer team members for Renault.

The council have the power to permanently exclude Renault from the championship, although such a penalty will not be imposed in this case.

However, a fine similar to the £50million received by McLaren could force their hand and drive them out of F1 at a time when the car industry is still coping with the effects of the global recession.