Despite Briatore’s assertion during last weekend’s Italian Grand Prix that there had been no offence committed, the departure of Briatore and Symonds would now appear to point to their guilt.

Former team owner Jordan told the BBC: “The FIA seemed to have clear-cut evidence that what is alleged is what has actually happened.

“And as a result of today, with the standing down of these two people, or Renault letting them go, I get the impression there was clear-cut evidence that it was no longer tenable that they could stay in.

“Renault, by suggesting they’re not going to contest the allegation, it is in itself an admission – or that’s how I see it. Legally there may be a different argument of course.

“But as a normal person on the street I think this is a clear-cut admission and I am surprised.”

Jordan added: “This is a story that even in your mindset you couldn’t set up.

“How would you go to tell a driver, ’Look if you want to keep your seat you’ve got to do this’.

“The ramifications with the safety, safety of the marshals, the safety of the driver ... you’re asking someone to do something that is absolutely ridiculous.

“I ran a team for nearly 30 years and I can’t comprehend that is even part of the agenda.

“I don’t know how desperate they were.

“In the Jordan team you could contemplate all sorts of things but certainly you wouldn’t contemplate that.”

Jordan does not expect Renault to be thrown out of Formula One, suggesting the departure of two of the team’s top men may have been part of “a pact”.

Discussing Italian businessman Briatore, who is a co-owner of Coca-Cola Championship club QPR, Jordan said: “While he’s a good guy socially and well respected, now people will look on it in a different way.

“Will the FA allow him to continue to run a club?

“The ramifications in this for Flavio are very extreme, very difficult, and he will be devastated by what he’s had to do.”