Amid reports that they too could be following Honda, BMW, Bridgestone and Toyota out the F1 door, Renault bosses have opted not to make any formal announcement on their future at this stage. After an emergency meeting in Paris, Renault boss Carlos Ghosn didn’t deny the possibility of the French team withdrawing, however he did reveal that a decision on their future would be made public before the end of the year.

"We don't want to disrupt the team by making public statements, but I can guarantee that before the end of the year we will announce our intentions regarding the participation of Renault in Formula One," he said.

2009 has to be the worst season for Renault after their return to the sport as a fully works team, when amid the scandal in regard to race fixing in 2008, they finished the year in a distant eighth place in the constructors championship. However, when it comes to next season, it seems almost certain that tney will remain with a lot of work already invested into their 2010 contender and a firm contract with Robert Kubica already in place with the team’s managing director, ean-Francois Caubet, admitting as much to the French pres after the meeting.

“We have already contracted our drivers, had the budget approved and are enrolled in the world championship. The 2010 season has already started for us," he told L’ Equipe.