RENAULT DENIES F1 WITHDRAWAL RUMOURS

A Renault board meeting in Paris - the day after Toyota pulled the plug on its F1 dream - has set the internet buzzing with rumours that the French team may follow suit.

In spite of the rumours that Renault has been considering its position, Jean Francois Caubet - managing director of Renault F1 - has told French journal L'Equipe that the 2010 season is not in doubt.

"We have already contracted our drivers, had our budget approved and are enrolled in the World Championship," he told the daily. "Season 2010 has begun already."

According to Caubet, Renault's chief exec Carlos Ghosn is fully behind Renault's 2010 F1 campaign, but has (unsurprisingly!) demanded the team returns to more competitive form.

Notwithstanding Caubet's comments, in these febrile times for the motor industry and motorsport, it's always possible that plans for an F1 withdrawal are on the Renault boardroom table.

It doesn't seem that long ago that Toyota F1 team boss John Howett was reaffirming Toyota's commitment to the sport...