No more F1-ING sponsorship for Renault

The big hits keep on coming for the ING Renault F1 team. Yes, that’s right, ING have pulled their sponsorship from the Renault F1 team with immediate effect.

The Dutch banking icon was due to end its current sponsorship deal at the end of this season anyway, but in response to the “Crashgate” saga they have decided to end their involvement with Renault sooner rather than later.

ING have released a statement on their website yesterday that reads:

“ING announced today that in light of the verdict of the World Motor Sport Council of 21 September 2009 concerning the events that occurred at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, ING will terminate the contract with Renault Formula 1 with immediate effect.

ING is deeply disappointed at this turn of events, especially in the context of an otherwise successful sponsorship. As announced on 16 February of this year, ING decided not to renew the three year sponsorship (2007-2009) contract with Renault F1 and to end its presence in Formula 1 after the 2009 season.”

Logos will be removed from Renault’s cars and team uniforms, so one assumes they will look like a bit of a makeshit outfit at Singapore this weekend.

The Spanish insurance company Mutua Madrilena has also ended its sponsorship arrangement with Renault claiming a breach of contract.

It’s good to see that somebody is prepared to punish Renault in a meaningful way, especially as the FIA is going without salads for the next few days after using all their wet lettuce leaves to penalise the team.

[Source: Autosport | Thanks to Chris for the tip]