Piquet confirms Renault release and hits back

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In a strong statement confirming the cessation of his relationship with the Renault F1 Team, Neslon Piquet has hit back, describing his time with Renault as 'the worst period' of his career coming to an end and also declaring a 'sense of relief' that it has passed.

"I have received notice from the Renault F1 team of its intention to stop me from driving for them in the current F1 season," began Piquet's long statement. "It is obviously with great disappointment that I receive such news. But, at the same time, I feel a sense of relief for the end of the worst period of my career, and the possibility that I can now move on and put my career back on the right track and try to recover my reputation of a fast, winning driver.

"I am a team player and there are dozens of people I have worked with in my career who would vouch for my character and talent, except unfortunately the person that has had the most influence on my career in Formula 1," he added, referring to Renault Team Principal Briatore.