Piquet Jnr hoping for F1 return

The World Motor Sport Council upheld their part of the bargain by granting Piquet Jnr immunity from individual sanction in exchange for volunteering his evidence in the 'crashgate' saga. That evidence saw Renault permanently disqualified from F1, albeit suspended for two years, with former team principal Flavio Briatore handed a lifetime ban from FIA-sanctioned events.

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

Drivers under the management of Briatore have been told they will not be granted a Superlicence - the document that allows them to compete - should they continue to associate themselves with the Italian.

As Piquet Jnr is one of those contracted to the 59-year-old, along with Fernando Alonso, Mark Webber, Heikki Kovalainen and Romain Grosjean, the Brazilian is now in a position to extricate himself from the deal. Once achieved, the 24-year-old would like to think he has not been tainted by the events of the past few weeks, and that another team will realise his potential.

However, it is hard to imagine any team eager to take on a driver willing to crash a car to save his career - no matter the pressure and circumstances - as Piquet Jnr did in last season's Singapore Grand Prix.

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

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

Piquet Jnr, in Paris for the extraordinary meeting of the WMSC to confirm the statements he provided on the incident, "apologised unreservedly" to the body for his part in the conspiracy.

Extending his regret after the hearing, he added: "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."